The perceived impact of the National Health Service on personalised nutrition service delivery among the UK public

Personalised nutrition (PN) has the potential to reduce disease risk and optimise health and performance. Although previous research has shown good acceptance of the concept of PN in the UK, preferences regarding the delivery of a PN service (e.g. online v. face-to-face) are not fully understood. It is anticipated that the presence of a free at point of delivery healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), in the UK may have an impact on end-user preferences for deliverances. To determine this, supplementary analysis of qualitative data obtained from focus group discussions on PN service delivery, collected as part of the Food4Me project in the UK and Ireland, was undertaken. Irish data provided comparative analysis of a healthcare system that is not provided free of charge at the point of delivery to the entire population. Analyses were conducted using the 'framework approach' described by Rabiee (Focus-group interview and data analysis. Proc Nutr Soc 63, 655-660). There was a preference for services to be led by the government and delivered face-to-face, which was perceived to increase trust and transparency, and add value. Both countries associated paying for nutritional advice with increased commitment and motivation to follow guidelines. Contrary to Ireland, however, and despite the perceived benefit of paying, UK discussants still expected PN services to be delivered free of charge by the NHS. Consideration of this unique challenge of free healthcare that is embedded in the NHS culture will be crucial when introducing PN to the UK

The consumption of 12 Eggs per week for 1 year does not alter fasting serum markers of cardiovascular disease in older adults with early macular degeneration

Some studies suggest that eating more than one egg daily may increase risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of consuming eggs on various serum markers associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Forty-five independently living adults diagnosed with early macular degeneration, but healthy otherwise were recruited into the study. Subjects were placed into the Intervention (n = 27) or Control group (n = 18) based on whether or not they would consume eggs. The Intervention group consumed 12 eggs per week while the Control group refrained from consuming any whole egg products for 1 year. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, apolipoprotein (apo) A-1 and apo B, lipoprotein (Lp)a and high-sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration was calculated via the Friedewald equation. Serum TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, apo A-1, apo B, Lpa and hsCRP concentrations did not change at any time in both the Intervention and Control groups compared to baseline nor were there any differences between the two treatment. Serum glucose concentrations did increase significantly in the Intervention group at 6 months compared to baseline (23%, P < 0.05) but decreased back to baseline concentrations at 12 months. This study suggests that the consumption of 12 eggs per week for 1 year does not significantly alter fasting serum lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, or other biomarkers of CVD in older adults diagnosed with early macular degeneration. Keywords: Apolipoprotein A-1, Apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein (CRP), Cardiovascular disease (CVD), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholestero

Metabolic syndrome in adolescents with spinal cord dysfunction.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of components of the metabolic syndrome in adolescents with spinal cord injury (SCI) and spina bifida (SB), and their associations with obesity in subjects with and without SCI and SB.MethodsFifty-four subjects (20 SCI and 34 SB) age 11 to 20 years with mobility impairments from lower extremity paraparesis were recruited from a hospital-based clinic. Sixty able-bodied subjects who were oversampled for obesity served as controls (CTRL). Subjects were categorized as obese if their percent trunk fat measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was &gt; 30.0% for males and &gt; 35.0% for females. Ten SCI, 24 SB, and 19 CTRL subjects were classified as obese. Fasting serum samples were collected to determine serum glucose, insulin, and lipid concentrations. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having &gt; or =3 of the following components: (a) obesity; (b) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) &lt;45 mg/dL for males; &lt;50 mg/dL for females; (c) triglycerides 2100 mg/dL; (d) systolic or diastolic blood pressure &gt; or =95th percentile for age/ height/gender, and (e) insulin resistance determined by either fasting serum glucose 100-125 mg/dL; fasting insulin &gt; or =20 microU /mL; or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance &gt; or = 4.0.ResultsMetabolic syndrome was identified in 32.4% of the SB group and 55% of the SCI group. Metabolic syndrome occurred at a significantly higher frequency in obese subjects (SB = 45.8%, SCI = 100%, CTRL = 63.2%) than nonobese subjects (SB = 0%, SCI = 10%, CTRL = 2.4%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents with SB/SCI is quite high, particularly in obese individuals. These findings have important implications due to the known risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus associated with metabolic syndrome in adults, particularly those with spinal cord dysfunction

Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents With Spinal Cord Dysfunction

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of components of the metabolic syndrome in adolescents with spinal cord injury (SCI) and spina bifida (SB), and their associations with obesity in subjects with and without SCI and SB.MethodsFifty-four subjects (20 SCI and 34 SB) age 11 to 20 years with mobility impairments from lower extremity paraparesis were recruited from a hospital-based clinic. Sixty able-bodied subjects who were oversampled for obesity served as controls (CTRL). Subjects were categorized as obese if their percent trunk fat measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was &gt; 30.0% for males and &gt; 35.0% for females. Ten SCI, 24 SB, and 19 CTRL subjects were classified as obese. Fasting serum samples were collected to determine serum glucose, insulin, and lipid concentrations. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having &gt; or =3 of the following components: (a) obesity; (b) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) &lt;45 mg/dL for males; &lt;50 mg/dL for females; (c) triglycerides 2100 mg/dL; (d) systolic or diastolic blood pressure &gt; or =95th percentile for age/ height/gender, and (e) insulin resistance determined by either fasting serum glucose 100-125 mg/dL; fasting insulin &gt; or =20 microU /mL; or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance &gt; or = 4.0.ResultsMetabolic syndrome was identified in 32.4% of the SB group and 55% of the SCI group. Metabolic syndrome occurred at a significantly higher frequency in obese subjects (SB = 45.8%, SCI = 100%, CTRL = 63.2%) than nonobese subjects (SB = 0%, SCI = 10%, CTRL = 2.4%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents with SB/SCI is quite high, particularly in obese individuals. These findings have important implications due to the known risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus associated with metabolic syndrome in adults, particularly those with spinal cord dysfunction