Pork: why we should not give it up completely

It is commonly thought that cases of life shorter than the life expectancy for Poles, mainly due to atherosclerosis and certain malignancies, are caused by, among other factors, consumption of large quantities of meat, especially pork. However, essential statistical data do not confirm this hypothesis, as an average Pole eats 41,1 kg pork per year, compared to 66.1 kg eaten by Spaniards, 64.2 kg by Danes, 59.9 kg by Austrians, 53.3 kg by Germans, while the average life expectancy for female and male Poles is 80.1 years and 71.5 years, respectively, and that for female and male Western Europeans is 82,2 years and 75 years, respectively. Meat is a necessary component of human diet because of its unique chemical composition, nutritional value and content of complete protein with favorable proportions of amino acids. Pork, whose nutritional value and pro-health properties have improved over the last 20 years, has a lower content of saturated fatty acids (SAFA) and a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to beef. Compared to poultry meat, pork has a significantly better proportion of essential unsaturated fatty acids (EUFA), omega-3 (PUFA n-3) to omega-6 (PUFA n-6), whose excess is typical for the so-called “Western” diet. Cholesterol content is fairly similar in all parts of pork carcass, and it is much smaller than even 20 years ago. In comparison with other meat types, pork is characterized by 4–5 times higher content of vitamin B1. Pork is also characterized by a high content of readily available iron, a very often inadequately supplied mineral in humans. It is present in the quantity of 0.014 g/kg, which is higher than in poultry meat (0.009 g/kg) but lower than in beef (0.026 g/kg). In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) updated its classification of carcinogenic agents. Red meat and processed meat were classified by IARC to group 2.A: substances probably carcinogenic to humans.  In its document, the international IARC workgroup revealed that consumption of meat brings health benefits, but consumption of processed and red meat should be limited as it can be associated with an increased risk of death due to atherosclerosic diseases and certain malignancies. Concurrently, it is noted that the results of many studies in this area are not clear. Production of genetically modified food is a very interesting, but also controversial area of studies of food, including pork

Probiotics in medicine

Technical and technological progress has changed the production methods of agricultural products and has decreased the overall production costs. Eager reliance on chemical agents and genetic engineering has led to the emergence of risks concerning even traditional food products. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly common to return to the traditional production methods involving the use of biological agents, with the aim to restore a healthy lifestyle and sustainability. This requires a new approach and new solutions developed cooperatively by “soil doctors”, i.e. farmers and environmental scientists, vets and medical doctors. Human health is a reflection of the health of the ecosystem. Fertile soil is essential for the health of plants, animals and humans. Probiotics, prebiotics, bacteriophages and plant extracts exhibit a vast potential as natural technologies that are environment-, animal- and human-friendly. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, if used in proper quantities, favorably affect health. In order for a microorganism to be named a probiotic, a series of tests has to be run to confirm its safety, resistance to difficult conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and a clearly beneficial impact on health. The location and activity of probiotics is mainly associated with the large intestine. The beneficial effect of probiotics depends on the strain and dose. The most important of their actions is maintaining homeostasis of the intestinal microflora, which prevents diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and contributes to well-being. The correct balance in the quantity of microorganisms is crucial for host defense and sustained health. Clinical and experimental studies provide evidence of the effectiveness of using probiotics in both prophylaxis and treatment of many diseases. However, further research is necessary to confirm the effects of probiotics and, perhaps by means of genetic engineering, to select new strains endowed with clinically confirmed probiotic properties and free of adverse reactions

Impact of parents’ nutritional knowledge on the nutrition and frequency of consumption of selected products in children and adolescents practicing football in a football club in Bydgoszcz, Poland

Ameryk Monika, Świątkowski Maciej, Sikorski Piotr, Augustyniak Agnieszka, Szamocka Małgorzata. Impact of parents’ nutritional knowledge on the nutrition and frequency of consumption of selected products in children and adolescents practicing football in a football club in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2016;6(11):456-472. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.179146http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/4020   The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 755 (23.12.2015).755 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7© The Author (s) 2016;This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, PolandOpen Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercialuse, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.Received: 02.11.2016. Revised 22.11.2016. Accepted: 28.11.2016.   Impact of parents’ nutritional knowledge on the nutrition and frequency of consumption of selected products in children and adolescents practicing football in a football club in Bydgoszcz, Poland Monika Ameryk, Maciej Świątkowski, Piotr Sikorski, Agnieszka Augustyniak, Małgorzata Szamocka Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition Disorders, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Correspondence: Monika Ameryk, Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition Disorders, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Ujejskiego 75, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland, Tel: +48 692 222 855. E-mail: [email protected]   AbstractRational diet improves the ability for intensive effort and training. Nutrition in children and adolescents depends on the nutritional knowledge of their parents.The aim of the study was to assess the parents’ nutritional knowledge and its impact on the nutrition of their children practicing football.Study group consisted of 100 football players aged 11–16. The parents’ nutritional knowledge and the nutrition of the athletes were assessed using the modified KomPAN questionnaire. The correlation between the parents’ knowledge and the frequency of consumption of selected products was determined using a χ2 test in the Statistica 12.5 software.A correlation between the parents’ nutritional knowledge and the frequency of consumption of selected products by their children was observed. Parents with insufficient knowledge less frequently served dark bread and thick groats than those with good and sufficient knowledge. Parents with good and sufficient knowledge less frequently served instant soups, canned meat, energy and isotonic drinks. No impact of the parents’ knowledge was observed with reference to white cheese, vegetable oils and sweets. Nutritional education of the parents of young athletes is necessary regardless of their nutritional knowledge. Improving eating habits can positively affect children’s development and achievements in sports. Keywords: Nutrition; Knowledge; Sport; Young Athletes; Eating habits

Obesity, type 2 diabetes and hormone replacement therapy vs. colorectal tumors in the elderly

Aims. A prophylaxis program for the early detection of colorectal cancer carried out by our department since the year 2000 has been extended to include people aged 65 and older. The subjects were asked additional questions regarding their dietary habits and possible coexistence of type 2 diabetes, and women were asked about the use of hormone replacement therapy. A physical examination, including measurements of nutritional status, was conducted. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes and hormone replacement therapy on the incidence of cancers and adenomas detected by colonoscopy screening in people aged 65 and older.Methods. The study method was standard colonoscopy screening conducted in people aged 65 and older, in whom no clinical signs suggesting the presence of colorectal cancer were observed. The subjects examined provided their answers to a number of questions related to coexisting conditions and medicines taken, and women were asked about their use of hormone replacement therapy in the past. Every subject underwent a thorough physical examination that included basic anthropometric measurements.    Results. Subjects with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and women who had used hormone replacement therapy had a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer.             Conclusions. The increased risk of colorectal cancer in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as women undergoing hormone replacement therapy, may be associated with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This polypeptide shows a similarity to insulin, is an active compound in the process of carcinogenesis and plays a role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Elucidating the molecular mechanism of action of IGF-1 is important for identifying the causes of tumorigenesis and can also be of significance for the future development of effective methods of treating malignancies

Simple sugars in fruit and the presence of colorectal cancers and polyps

The current knowledge based on facts provides data regarding genetic and environmental factors relevant for malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC) which frequently occurs in well-developed countries. CRC carcinogenesis, a process often lasting 10 to 20 years, has been elucidated.                                                                                                                       The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of simple sugars contained in fruit in the development of colorectal cancer and polyps.                          The study group consisted of 106 people aged 66 years and older. Colonoscopy screening was used as an opportunistic examination. Among people not qualified for the examination were those with diagnosed disease organic disease of the large intestine, suspected CRC, and people with poor health status due to diagnosed advanced organic diseases of essential organs. Colonoscopy screening was conducted at the Clinic of Gastroenterology and Nutrition Disorders, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz.                                                                                       The project demonstrated that in the group of 106 elderly people, in whom colonoscopy was conducted as an opportunistic examination under PBP, CRC was detected in 6 subjects, which is significantly more compared to 1 person in the control group. Apart from subjects with CRC, additional 8 subjects had histologically advanced adenomas that due to the high degree of dysplasia and/or presence of a villous component constituted a real risk of developing CRC in the future. In the control group, whose average age was 10 years younger, only one person was found to have cancer and other two had advanced adenomas, and while more adenomas were detected in the study group, they did not pose a significant risk of CRC.                                                                                               The results obtained in the study allow us to draw the conclusion that in order to reduce the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer in older age, proper lifestyle habits should be promoted from childhood and based on rational nutrition, safe and functional food products and, inseparably, physical activity, with colonoscopy screening conducted once in ten years starting from the age of 50.

The role of socioeconomic factors in selected aspects of nutritional behavior of children and adolescents practicing football in a football club in Bydgoszcz

Nutrition habits of children should be adapted to their physiological needs, reflecting their demand for the appropriate nutrients. Nutrition of children and adolescents practicing sports is a particular challenge, much more complex than in their peers and adults. This is related not only with their intensive growth and development and different metabolism, but also with increased physical activity. A correlation between socioeconomic factors in families (parents’ poor education, unemployment and low income) and a poor health status with increased incidence of chronic psychosomatic and organic diseases has been reported.The aim of the study was to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on selected aspects of nutritional behavior.   The investigated group consisted of 100 boys aged 10–16 years, practicing football in a football club in Bydgoszcz, Poland, whose parents answered questions from the KomPAN questionnaire adopted to the Polish conditions. The obtained results were developed statistically using the Statistica 12.5 software, with Chi-squared test and the statistical significance level at p < 0.005.          A significant impact of socioeconomic factors, including family economic status, on the analyzed aspects of nutritional behavior of children and adolescents practicing football in a football club in Bydgoszcz, was demonstrated. The study revealed many improper habits in the nutrition of the investigated children, which indicates the need for appropriate nutritional education at all age levels

Assessment of colonoscopy screening by elderly people

Forecasts indicate that in the next decade cancer will become the most common cause of death in our country. Over 140,000 new cases of malignant neoplasms are reported annually in Poland. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently detected malignancies: third in men and second in women.The aim of the study was the assessment of colonoscopy screening for early detection of colorectal cancer by elderly screening subjects. The study group consisted of 106 elderly people (aged 66 years and older), and the control group consisted of 100 consecutive people aged 40 to 65 years who reported to the Clinic for colonoscopy screening under PBP.Subjects from the control group expressed much more positive opinion about the usefulness of colonoscopy screening. 99,1% of subjects from this group assessed the examination as “very useful”, while in the study group such an opinion was expressed by 76% of subjects (p<0.0001). In the study group, 25.0% of subjects considered the preparation for colonoscopy as not bothersome, while in the control group such an opinion was expressed by 44.3% of subjects (p=0.0040).Due to the poor assessment of colonoscopy screening made by elderly people, a comprehensive analysis of the investigated procedure should be conducted, which should lead to improvements at all of its stages

Estimation of the frequency of meals consumed by children in early school age (living in Wloclawek)

Introduction: Adequate nutrition in children from youngest age will result in a proper physical and psychological growth. Unregular meals can cause many metabolic diseases. The important role in planning a menu plays frequency of the meals, their regularity and intervals between them. Aim: Evaluation of meal frequency among children aged 6-9 from primary schools in Włocławek.Materials and methods: The study group includes 314 children aged 6-9 randomly selected primary schools in Włocławek. The analysis was a part of a huge regional program of prevention of malnutrition, overweight and obesity by improving nutrition among children aged 6-9. The nutrition questionnaire was fullfiled by parents. The results were analyzed with computer program named Statistica 10.Results: The study showed that children from the study group made nutrition mistakes, such as insufficient numbers of meals during the day (3-4) only 70% of participants had its first meal before the school, not many more took second breakfast to the school and 25% ate junk food between meals. Ninety percent of the children had dinner and super on the regular basis.Conclusions: There is the need to change nutritional habits and make meals more regular, healthy, nutritious and diversified

Lifestyle of people aged 60+ who report for preventive examination

Lifestyle, with such components as diet, food quality, nutritional status and physical activity in different age groups, including people aged 60+, is a popular research field. Between 1989 and 2014, the number of elderly people in Poland increased by nearly 3 million. Lifestyle, formed from the childhood, is a very important factor affecting a person’s heath status and quality of life, particularly in the elderly.The aim of the study was to assess the lifestyle of people aged 60+ who reported for a screening examination for the early detection of colorectal cancer.The group consisted of 100 people aged 60+ who underwent a screening examination for the early detection of colorectal cancer conducted at the Clinic of Gastroenterology and Nutrition Disorders, the Jan Biziel University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Every participant filled two surveys, one concerning their current and past lifestyle and the other assessing their eligibility for colonoscopy screening. Every participant underwent a physical examination and anamnesis, during which basic anthropometric parameters, including body weight (kg) and height (cm), were assessed, followed by colonoscopy screening. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATISTICA PL 13 computer software from StatSoft and the results were considered as statistically significant at p<0.05.The mean overall value of the participants’ BMI was 27.8 ± 6.5 kg/m2, which indicated overweight in accordance with the WHO criteria. By categorizing the BMI measurements, it was shown that women were twice more likely to have a correct body weight compared to men (33% vs. 15%) and had a lower incidence of obesity (20% vs. 26%). Daily physical activity was practiced by 13% of the participants, while sedentary lifestyle was reported by nearly one-third of them. 70% of the surveyed group spent 2 to 3 hours per day watching TV or using a computer. Nutrition analysis demonstrated that almost 60% of the patients implemented modifications to their diet. Colonoscopy screening conducted in people aged 60+ revealed the presence of colorectal abnormalities in 44% of the participants, including 6 cases of colorectal cancer.The results of the study indicated cases of inappropriate diet, food quality and nutritional status, as well as other errors in health-related behavior. The identification of the discovered problems should encourage the Polish health care institutions to implement health promotion programs targeting people from their childhood, as well as carefully selected prevention programs for people aged 50 to 70 years