Pour mieux prévenir la dénutrition et les déficiences vitaminiques et minérales chez les personne... more Pour mieux prévenir la dénutrition et les déficiences vitaminiques et minérales chez les personnes en situation d’exclusion, nous avons mis au point un aliment enrichi facile à consommer dans la rue : le Vitapoche®. Il s’agit d’une pâte chocolatée résistante à la contamination bactérienne, emballée dans un sachet hermétique. Cette pâte est naturellement riche en potassium et en acides gras
CONCLUSIONS Dimensions of Food Insecurity in France: To study 3 different components of food inse... more CONCLUSIONS Dimensions of Food Insecurity in France: To study 3 different components of food insecurity in France : food restriction, meat/fish restriction, food anxiety. A multi-deprivation perspective: To study the links of food insecurity with restriction in health demand and with monetary poverty through their determinants. OBJECTIVES Food Insecure situations may be found in non poor households and medium level occupations. Food anxiety is the more coincident with monetary poverty. Cumulative deprivations in Food, Health and Income are mainly impacted by home status and equipment, meat and FV budget and marital situation. METHODS Analysing 3 dimensions of Food Insecurity • Qualitative and quantitative food restriction (12.5%): Enough to eat but not always the kinds of food wanted; Not enough to eat, often or sometimes. • Food anxiety (4.3%): Worried about running out of food • Meat/fish restriction (2.1%) : Can't afford to eat meat, poultry or fish every 2 days Analysing oth...
The effect of various anti-inflammatory drugs on the production of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha... more The effect of various anti-inflammatory drugs on the production of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, 6 keto PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 by bovine articular chondrocytes was measured by radioimmunoassay. While indomethacin and meclofenamic acid caused a dose-dependent inhibition of all prostanoids measured, the effects of hydrocortisone and colchicine varied with respect to different prostanoids. Hydrocortisone (10(-7)M - 10(-13)M) both in the presence and absence of added arachidonic acid, resulted in an inhibition of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, and to a lesser extent, 6 keto PGF 1 alpha, but TxB2 production was only slightly inhibited by the drug in the absence of arachidonic acid and markedly increased in its presence. Colchicine (10(-7)M-10(-3)M) had the opposite effect, causing an inhibition of TxB2 and stimulating PGE2 and 6 keto PGF1 alpha production. These findings suggest that certain anti-inflammatory drugs may, in addition to their action on phospholipase A2 and cyclo-...
Face à la progression des pathologies chroniques liées à l'alimentation, l'obésité en particulier... more Face à la progression des pathologies chroniques liées à l'alimentation, l'obésité en particulier, il apparaît essentiel de connaître l'évolution sur le long terme de la consommation alimentaire. L'objectif de cette étude est d'appréhender la consommation alimentaire en France au cours des trois dernières décennies à partir de données représentatives au niveau des ménages.
Objective: To assess the dietary intake and the nutritional status of homeless men. Setting: A ni... more Objective: To assess the dietary intake and the nutritional status of homeless men. Setting: A night emergency shelter in Paris, France. Design: Dietary survey (48-h) including alcohol intake and a questionnaire on age, duration of homelessness, smoking habits. Subjects were also weighed and measured. Subjects: Ninety-seven men aged 18±72 years (mean 43.3), of whom 54% were homeless for more than 18 months, 82% were smokers and 53% were regular and/or excessive drinkers. Results: The BMI distribution was shifted towards low values, the percentage of wasted persons being four times higher than in the reference population. The mean total energy intake was 2376 kcal SD 879 and included a high and highly variable percentage of energy derived from alcohol (12.0% SD 18X1X Among drinkers, the mean ethanol intake was 90 g SD 102 and there was a significant negative correlation between ethanol and non-alcoholic energy intakes. The median intakes of potassium, calcium, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, and niacin were lower than European Population Reference Intakes but only the mean intake of vitamin B1 was significantly lower. Eighty percent of non-alcoholic energy was provided by charitable organisations. For most nutrients, the nutritional density of the shelter ration was not significantly different from the density of the foods purchased by the homeless. Conclusions: These data suggest that the content of some nutrients should be increased in existing food assistance programs for homeless people in France.
Zinc supplementation could favor recovery from diarrhea in malnourished children. As the recent e... more Zinc supplementation could favor recovery from diarrhea in malnourished children. As the recent experimental evidence suggests that oxidative stress and intestinal anaphylaxis may contribute to the intestinal dysfunction associated with malnutrition, we postulated that zinc could act through antioxidant or antianaphylactic properties. Control (C), malnourished (M), and malnourished zinc-treated (MZ) guinea pigs were, respectively, fed a normal 30% protein diet, a low 4% protein diet, and a low 4% protein diet plus 1800 ppm of zinc. Milk proteins were included in the diets to trigger intestinal anaphylaxis. Milk sensitization was assessed by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) against beta-lactoglobulin and by intestinal anaphylaxis measured in Ussing chambers by the increase in short circuit-current after addition of beta-lactoglobulin (deltaIsc(betaLg)). Oxidative stress was assessed by intestinal lipid peroxidation. The intestinal secretion was assessed by deltaIsc induced by inflammatory mediators. Malnutrition increased the level of anti-betaLg reaginic antibodies [PCA = 1.19 +/- 0.79 and 0.69 +/- 0.67 log(l/titer) in M versus C guinea pigs, p = 0.07] and enhanced intestinal anaphylaxis (deltaIsc(betaLg)) = 16.4 +/- 9.9 and 9.1 +/- 5.8 microA/cm2 in M versus C guinea pigs, p = 0.07), without inducing intestinal lipid peroxidation. Moreover, malnutrition enhanced significantly the intestinal secretory response to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Administration of pharmacologic doses of zinc during malnutrition inhibited the increase in milk sensitization induced by malnutrition, both at the systemic [PCA = 0.35 +/- 0.55 log(l/titer) in MZ guinea pigs, p = 0.03 versus M] and intestinal (deltaIsc(betaLg)) = 2.8 +/- 2.5 microA/cm2 in MZ guinea pigs; p = 0.001 versus M) level, and prevented the hypersecretion in response to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. These data suggest that zinc has antianaphylactic and antisecretory properties that may contribute to its capacity to prevent intestinal dysfunction during malnutrition.
In cow's milk allergy (CMA) with intestinal symptoms, peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs)... more In cow's milk allergy (CMA) with intestinal symptoms, peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs) secrete tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-cO, altering intestinal function. However, the type of cow's milk protein (CMP) that triggers symptoms (intact or intestinally processed) is not known, and neither is the minimal amount required. Methods: PBMCs were isolated from infants with active CMA or cured infants just before a new challenge and stimulated with intact or intestinally processed CMP. Supernatants were tested for cytokine content and for their ability to perturb intestinal barrier capacity, measured in Ussing chambers in HT29-19A intestinal cells. Results: PBMCs from infants with active CMA secreted more TNF-~, when they were stimulated with intact rather than intestinally ptvcessed CMPs, and more TNF-e~ than PBMCs from cured infants. Accordingly, supernatants from PBMCs stimulated with intact but not intestinally processed CMPs significantly increased intestinal permeability. The CMP concentration required to trigger TNF-a secretion capable of altering intestinal function was very small in infants with active CMA (~-2 t~g/ml), but about 300 times higher in cured infants. Conclusion: Intact rather than intestinally' processed proteins stimulate PBMCs to release TNF-c~ and alter intestinal barrier capacity. The threshold for PBMC reactivity to milk antigens drops considerably during active CMA with intestinal symptoms. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996;98:781-9.)
Epicatechin 3-0-gallate and various procyanidins obtained from grape seeds were tested for their ... more Epicatechin 3-0-gallate and various procyanidins obtained from grape seeds were tested for their scavenger capacity for superoxide radical (027 and hydroxyl radical ('OH) in aqueous models. Quantification of 02'-and 'OH scavenger capacities was carried out, respectively, by polarography and by the extent of deoxyribose degradation. All the compounds assayed are potent scavengers of these radicals compared to trolox (for D2-9 and ethanol and mannitol (for 'OH). Catechin monomers are also potent scavengers, especially of 'OH. Gallic acid esterification increased the 02'-and 'OH scavenger capacity of the dimer procyanidins. However, esterification position was also important. A difference in the 0 2 ' -scavenger capacity was noted between dimers having a c4-C~ and c4-C~ linkage. Procyanidin Bz 3'-O-gallate was found to be the most effective compound in trapping oxygen free radicals.
A polarographic method to assess the scavenging capacity of a molecule for O2-. is proposed. This... more A polarographic method to assess the scavenging capacity of a molecule for O2-. is proposed. This method is based on the fact that O2-. is not detected by the Clark electrode and that a scavenger competes with spontaneous dismutation of O2-. So, the reduction of O2 into O2-. and the decomposition of H2O2 by catalase, releasing O2, show a biphasic kinetic. Various kinetic parameters can be used to calculate the nmol of O2-. scavenged and also supply data on the reaction mechanisms (oxidation or reduction of O2-.) involved in scavenging. This method presents several other advantages: scavenging capacity can be assayed without added indicators which themselves behave as scavengers (as demonstrated for NBT), the presence of scavengers which interfere with the O2-. generating system (xanthine-xanthine oxidase) does not invalidate the measurements made.
ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to identify the causal effects between food consumption, ... more ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to identify the causal effects between food consumption, calories intakes and body mass index (BMI) and then the effects of food prices on consumption. We then analyze the relevance of policies of taxation for the reduction of obesity in the population. Actually, the price elasticity of BMI can be decomposed into the causal relationship between obesity and calories consumption and the price elasticity of consumption. In this way, we can determine the real impact of food consumption on BMI. Using French data recording household and individual characteristics, households food purchases (quantities and expenditures) over a period of two years and nutrition information of all products, we recover individual level estimates of calories consumption following Chescher (1998). This individual consumption allows to analyze food demands and its price elasticity as well as their relationships with obesity at the individual level, avoiding the household aggregation bias.
Consumers wishing to replace some of the foods in their diets with more nutrient-dense options ne... more Consumers wishing to replace some of the foods in their diets with more nutrient-dense options need to be able to identify such foods on the basis of nutrient profiling. The present study used nutrient profiling to rank 7 major food groups and 25 subgroups in terms of their contribution to dietary energy, diet quality, and diet cost for 1332 adult participants in the French National INCA1 Study. Nutrient profiles were based on the presence of 23 qualifying nutrients, expressed as the percentage of nutrient adequacy per 8 MJ, and 3 negative or disqualifying nutrients, expressed as the percentage of the maximal recommended values for saturated fatty acids, added sugar, and sodium per 1.4 kg. Calculated cost of energy (V/8 MJ) was based on the mean retail price of 619 foods in the nutrient composition database. The meat and the fruit and vegetables food groups had the highest nutritional quality but were associated with highest energy costs. Sweets and salted snacks had the lowest nutritional quality but were also one of the least expensive sources of dietary energy.
Linear programming can be applied to identify a nutritionally adequate diet of the lowest cost, s... more Linear programming can be applied to identify a nutritionally adequate diet of the lowest cost, since price and nutrient contents are linearly related to food weight. Most computer spreadsheets now include an easy-to-use solver function that is suitable for this purpose. This approach can also be used to estimate the effect of introducing a food supplement on the minimal cost required to provide a nutritionally adequate diet. It can also provide an estimate of the expenses saved by families in relation to the sums spent by the donor after the distribution of a food supplement. This method is illustrated by comparing the economic value of two food supplements, a traditional blended flour and a nutrient-dense spread (a "foodlet") in rural Chad. The limitations of this approach and the need to interpret its findings carefully in relation to field observations are discussed.
Food consumption surveys are often used to detect inadequate nutrient intakes but not to determin... more Food consumption surveys are often used to detect inadequate nutrient intakes but not to determine whether inadequate nutrient intakes are due to suboptimal use of locally available foods or to insufficient availability of nutrient-dense foods. The objectives were to describe the use of linear programming as a method to design nutrient-adequate diets of optimal nutrient density and to identify the most stringent constraints in nutritional recommendations and food consumption patterns in a population's diet. This analysis was conducted with the use of food consumption data collected during 2 seasons from rural Malawian children aged 3-6 y. Linear programming was used to select diets based on local foods that satisfied a set of nutritional constraints while minimizing the total energy content of the diet. Additional constraints on daily intakes of foods and food groups were also introduced to ensure that the diets were compatible with local food patterns. The strength of the constraints was assessed by analyzing nonlinear programming sensitivity. In the harvest season, it was possible to satisfy nutritional recommendations with little departure from the local diet. In the nonharvest season, nutritional adequacy was impaired by the low availability of riboflavin- and zinc-rich animal or vegetable foods and by the high phytate content of other foods. This analysis suggests that nutrition education may help improve the diets of children in the harvest season, whereas changes in the range of available foods might be needed in the nonharvest season. Linear and nonlinear programming can be used to formulate recommendations with the use of data from local food consumption surveys.
Effective food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are required to combat micronutrient deficiencies... more Effective food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are required to combat micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to develop a rigorous approach for designing population-specific FBDGs. A 4-phase approach based on linear programming analysis was used to design, test, and refine the FBDGs. This was illustrated for Malawian children. In phase I, the objective function minimized the difference in the energy contributed by different food groups between modeled and observed diets for 16 observed diet types, while preferentially selecting foods most often consumed. Constraints ensured nutrient adequacy and diet palatability. In phase II, the meal/snack patterns of the phase I modeled diets were examined to develop season-specific FBDGs. In phase III, the robustness of these FBDGs, for ensuring a nutritionally adequate diet, was tested. The objective function, in this analysis, minimized selected nutrient levels in the modeled diets (i.e., chose the "worst-case scenario"), while respecting the FBDGs, palatability, and energy constraints. The FBDGs were refined in phase IV. In the Malawian example used to illustrate our approach, the FBDGs promoted daily consumption of maize flour, small dry fish (Ն20 g), leaf relish, and 2-3 snacks. The last mentioned included mangoes, in the food-shortage season, and pumpkin in the food-plenty season. In addition, legume relish was recommended in the food-shortage season. The approach presented here can be used to design and then test the robustness of FBDGs for meeting nutrient recommendations. J. Nutr. 134: 951-957, 2004.
Economic constraints may contribute to the unhealthy food choices observed among low socioeconomi... more Economic constraints may contribute to the unhealthy food choices observed among low socioeconomic groups in industrialized countries. The objective of the present study was to predict the food choices a rational individual would make to reduce his or her food budget, while retaining a diet as close as possible to the average population diet. Isoenergetic diets were modeled by linear programming. To ensure these diets were consistent with habitual food consumption patterns, departure from the average French diet was minimized and constraints that limited portion size and the amount of energy from food groups were introduced into the models. A cost constraint was introduced and progressively strengthened to assess the effect of cost on the selection of foods by the program. Strengthening the cost constraint reduced the proportion of energy contributed by fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products and increased the proportion from cereals, sweets and added fats, a pattern similar to that observed among low socioeconomic groups. This decreased the nutritional quality of modeled diets, notably the lowest cost linear programming diets had lower vitamin C and -carotene densities than the mean French adult diet (i.e., Ͻ25% and 10% of the mean density, respectively). These results indicate that a simple cost constraint can decrease the nutrient densities of diets and influence food selection in ways that reproduce the food intake patterns observed among low socioeconomic groups. They suggest that economic measures will be needed to effectively improve the nutritional quality of diets consumed by these populations.
Nutrient profiling ranks foods based on their nutrient content. They may help identify foods with... more Nutrient profiling ranks foods based on their nutrient content. They may help identify foods with a good nutritional quality for their price. This hypothesis was tested using diet modeling with linear programming. Analyses were undertaken using food intake data from the nationally representative French INCA (enquête Individuelle et Nationale sur les Consommations Alimentaires) survey and its associated food composition and price database. For each food, a nutrient profile score was defined as the ratio between the previously published nutrient density score (NDS) and the limited nutrient score (LIM); a nutritional quality for price indicator was developed and calculated from the relationship between its NDS:LIM and energy cost (in euro/100 kcal). We developed linear programming models to design diets that fulfilled increasing levels of nutritional constraints at a minimal cost. The median NDS:LIM values of foods selected in modeled diets increased as the levels of nutritional constr...
Reçu le 18 juin 2014 ; accepté le 22 novembre 2014 Disponible sur Internet le 15 janvier 2015 MOT... more Reçu le 18 juin 2014 ; accepté le 22 novembre 2014 Disponible sur Internet le 15 janvier 2015 MOTS CLÉS Étiquetage nutritionnel ; Intervention ; Supermarché ; Achats ; Profil nutritionnel
Pour mieux prévenir la dénutrition et les déficiences vitaminiques et minérales chez les personne... more Pour mieux prévenir la dénutrition et les déficiences vitaminiques et minérales chez les personnes en situation d’exclusion, nous avons mis au point un aliment enrichi facile à consommer dans la rue : le Vitapoche®. Il s’agit d’une pâte chocolatée résistante à la contamination bactérienne, emballée dans un sachet hermétique. Cette pâte est naturellement riche en potassium et en acides gras
CONCLUSIONS Dimensions of Food Insecurity in France: To study 3 different components of food inse... more CONCLUSIONS Dimensions of Food Insecurity in France: To study 3 different components of food insecurity in France : food restriction, meat/fish restriction, food anxiety. A multi-deprivation perspective: To study the links of food insecurity with restriction in health demand and with monetary poverty through their determinants. OBJECTIVES Food Insecure situations may be found in non poor households and medium level occupations. Food anxiety is the more coincident with monetary poverty. Cumulative deprivations in Food, Health and Income are mainly impacted by home status and equipment, meat and FV budget and marital situation. METHODS Analysing 3 dimensions of Food Insecurity • Qualitative and quantitative food restriction (12.5%): Enough to eat but not always the kinds of food wanted; Not enough to eat, often or sometimes. • Food anxiety (4.3%): Worried about running out of food • Meat/fish restriction (2.1%) : Can't afford to eat meat, poultry or fish every 2 days Analysing oth...
The effect of various anti-inflammatory drugs on the production of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha... more The effect of various anti-inflammatory drugs on the production of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, 6 keto PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 by bovine articular chondrocytes was measured by radioimmunoassay. While indomethacin and meclofenamic acid caused a dose-dependent inhibition of all prostanoids measured, the effects of hydrocortisone and colchicine varied with respect to different prostanoids. Hydrocortisone (10(-7)M - 10(-13)M) both in the presence and absence of added arachidonic acid, resulted in an inhibition of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, and to a lesser extent, 6 keto PGF 1 alpha, but TxB2 production was only slightly inhibited by the drug in the absence of arachidonic acid and markedly increased in its presence. Colchicine (10(-7)M-10(-3)M) had the opposite effect, causing an inhibition of TxB2 and stimulating PGE2 and 6 keto PGF1 alpha production. These findings suggest that certain anti-inflammatory drugs may, in addition to their action on phospholipase A2 and cyclo-...
Face à la progression des pathologies chroniques liées à l'alimentation, l'obésité en particulier... more Face à la progression des pathologies chroniques liées à l'alimentation, l'obésité en particulier, il apparaît essentiel de connaître l'évolution sur le long terme de la consommation alimentaire. L'objectif de cette étude est d'appréhender la consommation alimentaire en France au cours des trois dernières décennies à partir de données représentatives au niveau des ménages.
Objective: To assess the dietary intake and the nutritional status of homeless men. Setting: A ni... more Objective: To assess the dietary intake and the nutritional status of homeless men. Setting: A night emergency shelter in Paris, France. Design: Dietary survey (48-h) including alcohol intake and a questionnaire on age, duration of homelessness, smoking habits. Subjects were also weighed and measured. Subjects: Ninety-seven men aged 18±72 years (mean 43.3), of whom 54% were homeless for more than 18 months, 82% were smokers and 53% were regular and/or excessive drinkers. Results: The BMI distribution was shifted towards low values, the percentage of wasted persons being four times higher than in the reference population. The mean total energy intake was 2376 kcal SD 879 and included a high and highly variable percentage of energy derived from alcohol (12.0% SD 18X1X Among drinkers, the mean ethanol intake was 90 g SD 102 and there was a significant negative correlation between ethanol and non-alcoholic energy intakes. The median intakes of potassium, calcium, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, and niacin were lower than European Population Reference Intakes but only the mean intake of vitamin B1 was significantly lower. Eighty percent of non-alcoholic energy was provided by charitable organisations. For most nutrients, the nutritional density of the shelter ration was not significantly different from the density of the foods purchased by the homeless. Conclusions: These data suggest that the content of some nutrients should be increased in existing food assistance programs for homeless people in France.
Zinc supplementation could favor recovery from diarrhea in malnourished children. As the recent e... more Zinc supplementation could favor recovery from diarrhea in malnourished children. As the recent experimental evidence suggests that oxidative stress and intestinal anaphylaxis may contribute to the intestinal dysfunction associated with malnutrition, we postulated that zinc could act through antioxidant or antianaphylactic properties. Control (C), malnourished (M), and malnourished zinc-treated (MZ) guinea pigs were, respectively, fed a normal 30% protein diet, a low 4% protein diet, and a low 4% protein diet plus 1800 ppm of zinc. Milk proteins were included in the diets to trigger intestinal anaphylaxis. Milk sensitization was assessed by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) against beta-lactoglobulin and by intestinal anaphylaxis measured in Ussing chambers by the increase in short circuit-current after addition of beta-lactoglobulin (deltaIsc(betaLg)). Oxidative stress was assessed by intestinal lipid peroxidation. The intestinal secretion was assessed by deltaIsc induced by inflammatory mediators. Malnutrition increased the level of anti-betaLg reaginic antibodies [PCA = 1.19 +/- 0.79 and 0.69 +/- 0.67 log(l/titer) in M versus C guinea pigs, p = 0.07] and enhanced intestinal anaphylaxis (deltaIsc(betaLg)) = 16.4 +/- 9.9 and 9.1 +/- 5.8 microA/cm2 in M versus C guinea pigs, p = 0.07), without inducing intestinal lipid peroxidation. Moreover, malnutrition enhanced significantly the intestinal secretory response to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Administration of pharmacologic doses of zinc during malnutrition inhibited the increase in milk sensitization induced by malnutrition, both at the systemic [PCA = 0.35 +/- 0.55 log(l/titer) in MZ guinea pigs, p = 0.03 versus M] and intestinal (deltaIsc(betaLg)) = 2.8 +/- 2.5 microA/cm2 in MZ guinea pigs; p = 0.001 versus M) level, and prevented the hypersecretion in response to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. These data suggest that zinc has antianaphylactic and antisecretory properties that may contribute to its capacity to prevent intestinal dysfunction during malnutrition.
In cow's milk allergy (CMA) with intestinal symptoms, peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs)... more In cow's milk allergy (CMA) with intestinal symptoms, peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs) secrete tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-cO, altering intestinal function. However, the type of cow's milk protein (CMP) that triggers symptoms (intact or intestinally processed) is not known, and neither is the minimal amount required. Methods: PBMCs were isolated from infants with active CMA or cured infants just before a new challenge and stimulated with intact or intestinally processed CMP. Supernatants were tested for cytokine content and for their ability to perturb intestinal barrier capacity, measured in Ussing chambers in HT29-19A intestinal cells. Results: PBMCs from infants with active CMA secreted more TNF-~, when they were stimulated with intact rather than intestinally ptvcessed CMPs, and more TNF-e~ than PBMCs from cured infants. Accordingly, supernatants from PBMCs stimulated with intact but not intestinally processed CMPs significantly increased intestinal permeability. The CMP concentration required to trigger TNF-a secretion capable of altering intestinal function was very small in infants with active CMA (~-2 t~g/ml), but about 300 times higher in cured infants. Conclusion: Intact rather than intestinally' processed proteins stimulate PBMCs to release TNF-c~ and alter intestinal barrier capacity. The threshold for PBMC reactivity to milk antigens drops considerably during active CMA with intestinal symptoms. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996;98:781-9.)
Epicatechin 3-0-gallate and various procyanidins obtained from grape seeds were tested for their ... more Epicatechin 3-0-gallate and various procyanidins obtained from grape seeds were tested for their scavenger capacity for superoxide radical (027 and hydroxyl radical ('OH) in aqueous models. Quantification of 02'-and 'OH scavenger capacities was carried out, respectively, by polarography and by the extent of deoxyribose degradation. All the compounds assayed are potent scavengers of these radicals compared to trolox (for D2-9 and ethanol and mannitol (for 'OH). Catechin monomers are also potent scavengers, especially of 'OH. Gallic acid esterification increased the 02'-and 'OH scavenger capacity of the dimer procyanidins. However, esterification position was also important. A difference in the 0 2 ' -scavenger capacity was noted between dimers having a c4-C~ and c4-C~ linkage. Procyanidin Bz 3'-O-gallate was found to be the most effective compound in trapping oxygen free radicals.
A polarographic method to assess the scavenging capacity of a molecule for O2-. is proposed. This... more A polarographic method to assess the scavenging capacity of a molecule for O2-. is proposed. This method is based on the fact that O2-. is not detected by the Clark electrode and that a scavenger competes with spontaneous dismutation of O2-. So, the reduction of O2 into O2-. and the decomposition of H2O2 by catalase, releasing O2, show a biphasic kinetic. Various kinetic parameters can be used to calculate the nmol of O2-. scavenged and also supply data on the reaction mechanisms (oxidation or reduction of O2-.) involved in scavenging. This method presents several other advantages: scavenging capacity can be assayed without added indicators which themselves behave as scavengers (as demonstrated for NBT), the presence of scavengers which interfere with the O2-. generating system (xanthine-xanthine oxidase) does not invalidate the measurements made.
ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to identify the causal effects between food consumption, ... more ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to identify the causal effects between food consumption, calories intakes and body mass index (BMI) and then the effects of food prices on consumption. We then analyze the relevance of policies of taxation for the reduction of obesity in the population. Actually, the price elasticity of BMI can be decomposed into the causal relationship between obesity and calories consumption and the price elasticity of consumption. In this way, we can determine the real impact of food consumption on BMI. Using French data recording household and individual characteristics, households food purchases (quantities and expenditures) over a period of two years and nutrition information of all products, we recover individual level estimates of calories consumption following Chescher (1998). This individual consumption allows to analyze food demands and its price elasticity as well as their relationships with obesity at the individual level, avoiding the household aggregation bias.
Consumers wishing to replace some of the foods in their diets with more nutrient-dense options ne... more Consumers wishing to replace some of the foods in their diets with more nutrient-dense options need to be able to identify such foods on the basis of nutrient profiling. The present study used nutrient profiling to rank 7 major food groups and 25 subgroups in terms of their contribution to dietary energy, diet quality, and diet cost for 1332 adult participants in the French National INCA1 Study. Nutrient profiles were based on the presence of 23 qualifying nutrients, expressed as the percentage of nutrient adequacy per 8 MJ, and 3 negative or disqualifying nutrients, expressed as the percentage of the maximal recommended values for saturated fatty acids, added sugar, and sodium per 1.4 kg. Calculated cost of energy (V/8 MJ) was based on the mean retail price of 619 foods in the nutrient composition database. The meat and the fruit and vegetables food groups had the highest nutritional quality but were associated with highest energy costs. Sweets and salted snacks had the lowest nutritional quality but were also one of the least expensive sources of dietary energy.
Linear programming can be applied to identify a nutritionally adequate diet of the lowest cost, s... more Linear programming can be applied to identify a nutritionally adequate diet of the lowest cost, since price and nutrient contents are linearly related to food weight. Most computer spreadsheets now include an easy-to-use solver function that is suitable for this purpose. This approach can also be used to estimate the effect of introducing a food supplement on the minimal cost required to provide a nutritionally adequate diet. It can also provide an estimate of the expenses saved by families in relation to the sums spent by the donor after the distribution of a food supplement. This method is illustrated by comparing the economic value of two food supplements, a traditional blended flour and a nutrient-dense spread (a "foodlet") in rural Chad. The limitations of this approach and the need to interpret its findings carefully in relation to field observations are discussed.
Food consumption surveys are often used to detect inadequate nutrient intakes but not to determin... more Food consumption surveys are often used to detect inadequate nutrient intakes but not to determine whether inadequate nutrient intakes are due to suboptimal use of locally available foods or to insufficient availability of nutrient-dense foods. The objectives were to describe the use of linear programming as a method to design nutrient-adequate diets of optimal nutrient density and to identify the most stringent constraints in nutritional recommendations and food consumption patterns in a population's diet. This analysis was conducted with the use of food consumption data collected during 2 seasons from rural Malawian children aged 3-6 y. Linear programming was used to select diets based on local foods that satisfied a set of nutritional constraints while minimizing the total energy content of the diet. Additional constraints on daily intakes of foods and food groups were also introduced to ensure that the diets were compatible with local food patterns. The strength of the constraints was assessed by analyzing nonlinear programming sensitivity. In the harvest season, it was possible to satisfy nutritional recommendations with little departure from the local diet. In the nonharvest season, nutritional adequacy was impaired by the low availability of riboflavin- and zinc-rich animal or vegetable foods and by the high phytate content of other foods. This analysis suggests that nutrition education may help improve the diets of children in the harvest season, whereas changes in the range of available foods might be needed in the nonharvest season. Linear and nonlinear programming can be used to formulate recommendations with the use of data from local food consumption surveys.
Effective food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are required to combat micronutrient deficiencies... more Effective food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are required to combat micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to develop a rigorous approach for designing population-specific FBDGs. A 4-phase approach based on linear programming analysis was used to design, test, and refine the FBDGs. This was illustrated for Malawian children. In phase I, the objective function minimized the difference in the energy contributed by different food groups between modeled and observed diets for 16 observed diet types, while preferentially selecting foods most often consumed. Constraints ensured nutrient adequacy and diet palatability. In phase II, the meal/snack patterns of the phase I modeled diets were examined to develop season-specific FBDGs. In phase III, the robustness of these FBDGs, for ensuring a nutritionally adequate diet, was tested. The objective function, in this analysis, minimized selected nutrient levels in the modeled diets (i.e., chose the "worst-case scenario"), while respecting the FBDGs, palatability, and energy constraints. The FBDGs were refined in phase IV. In the Malawian example used to illustrate our approach, the FBDGs promoted daily consumption of maize flour, small dry fish (Ն20 g), leaf relish, and 2-3 snacks. The last mentioned included mangoes, in the food-shortage season, and pumpkin in the food-plenty season. In addition, legume relish was recommended in the food-shortage season. The approach presented here can be used to design and then test the robustness of FBDGs for meeting nutrient recommendations. J. Nutr. 134: 951-957, 2004.
Economic constraints may contribute to the unhealthy food choices observed among low socioeconomi... more Economic constraints may contribute to the unhealthy food choices observed among low socioeconomic groups in industrialized countries. The objective of the present study was to predict the food choices a rational individual would make to reduce his or her food budget, while retaining a diet as close as possible to the average population diet. Isoenergetic diets were modeled by linear programming. To ensure these diets were consistent with habitual food consumption patterns, departure from the average French diet was minimized and constraints that limited portion size and the amount of energy from food groups were introduced into the models. A cost constraint was introduced and progressively strengthened to assess the effect of cost on the selection of foods by the program. Strengthening the cost constraint reduced the proportion of energy contributed by fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products and increased the proportion from cereals, sweets and added fats, a pattern similar to that observed among low socioeconomic groups. This decreased the nutritional quality of modeled diets, notably the lowest cost linear programming diets had lower vitamin C and -carotene densities than the mean French adult diet (i.e., Ͻ25% and 10% of the mean density, respectively). These results indicate that a simple cost constraint can decrease the nutrient densities of diets and influence food selection in ways that reproduce the food intake patterns observed among low socioeconomic groups. They suggest that economic measures will be needed to effectively improve the nutritional quality of diets consumed by these populations.
Nutrient profiling ranks foods based on their nutrient content. They may help identify foods with... more Nutrient profiling ranks foods based on their nutrient content. They may help identify foods with a good nutritional quality for their price. This hypothesis was tested using diet modeling with linear programming. Analyses were undertaken using food intake data from the nationally representative French INCA (enquête Individuelle et Nationale sur les Consommations Alimentaires) survey and its associated food composition and price database. For each food, a nutrient profile score was defined as the ratio between the previously published nutrient density score (NDS) and the limited nutrient score (LIM); a nutritional quality for price indicator was developed and calculated from the relationship between its NDS:LIM and energy cost (in euro/100 kcal). We developed linear programming models to design diets that fulfilled increasing levels of nutritional constraints at a minimal cost. The median NDS:LIM values of foods selected in modeled diets increased as the levels of nutritional constr...
Reçu le 18 juin 2014 ; accepté le 22 novembre 2014 Disponible sur Internet le 15 janvier 2015 MOT... more Reçu le 18 juin 2014 ; accepté le 22 novembre 2014 Disponible sur Internet le 15 janvier 2015 MOTS CLÉS Étiquetage nutritionnel ; Intervention ; Supermarché ; Achats ; Profil nutritionnel
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