Effects of stereospecific positioning of fatty acids in triacylglycerol structures in native and randomized fats: a review of their nutritional implications

Most studies on lipid lowering diets have focused on the total content of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. However, the distribution of these fatty acids on the triacylglycerol (TAG) molecule and the molecular TAG species generated by this stereospecificity are characteristic for various native dietary TAGs. Fat randomization or interesterification is a process involving the positional redistribution of fatty acids, which leads to the generation of new TAG molecular species. A comparison between native and randomized TAGs is the subject of this review with regards to the role of stereospecificity of fatty acids in metabolic processing and effects on fasting lipids and postprandial lipemia. The positioning of unsaturated versus saturated fatty acids in the sn-2 position of TAGs indicate differences in early metabolic processing and postprandial clearance, which may explain modulatory effects on atherogenecity and thrombogenecity. Both human and animal studies are discussed with implications for human health

Stearic acid-rich interesterified fat and trans-rich fat raise the LDL/HDL ratio and plasma glucose relative to palm olein in humans

BACKGROUND: Dietary trans-rich and interesterified fats were compared to an unmodified saturated fat for their relative impact on blood lipids and plasma glucose. Each fat had melting characteristics, plasticity and solids fat content suitable for use as hardstock in margarine and other solid fat formulations. METHODS: Thirty human volunteers were fed complete, whole food diets during 4 wk periods, where total fat (~31% daily energy, >70% from the test fats) and fatty acid composition were tightly controlled. A crossover design was used with 3 randomly-assigned diet rotations and repeated-measures analysis. One test fat rotation was based on palm olein (POL) and provided 12.0 percent of energy (%en) as palmitic acid (16:0); a second contained trans-rich partially hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSO) and provided 3.2 %en as trans fatty acids plus 6.5 %en as 16:0, while the third used an interesterified fat (IE) and provided 12.5 %en as stearic acid (18:0). After 4 wk the plasma lipoproteins, fatty acid profile, as well as fasting glucose and insulin were assessed. In addition, after 2 wk into each period an 8 h postprandial challenge was initiated in a subset of 19 subjects who consumed a meal containing 53 g of test fat. RESULTS: After 4 wk, both PHSO and IE fats significantly elevated both the LDL/HDL ratio and fasting blood glucose, the latter almost 20% in the IE group relative to POL. Fasting 4 wk insulin was 10% lower after PHSO (p > 0.05) and 22% lower after IE (p < 0.001) compared to POL. For the postprandial study the glucose incremental area under the curve (IAUC) following the IE meal was 40% greater than after either other meal (p < 0.001), and was linked to relatively depressed insulin and C-peptide (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both PHSO and IE fats altered the metabolism of lipoproteins and glucose relative to an unmodified saturated fat when fed to humans under identical circumstances

Letter to the editor: reply to Destaillats, interesterified fats to replace trans fat

Although more sophisticated ways exist to analyze TG-MS than that applied in our study, the approach was able to identify the TG species sufficiently to emphasize the importance of TG structure. The criticism that differences in dietary fat saturation alone would explain the lipoprotein response across diets is not supported by careful scrutiny of the facts. Nor does fat saturation per se address the observed impact that fat structure had on insulin/glucose metabolism

The relationship between high performance work system and safety performance among employees at workplace

This study aims to study the relationship between high performance work system and employees' safety performance at workplace. Employees from Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd Ipoh, Perak made up the population for this study whereby 170 respondents participated in this study. A survey questionnaire which consisted four parts namely the demographic factors, overall safety performance at workplace, dimensions of high performance work system and open ended questions were constructed as a mean for data collection The variables included in this research are safety training, self-managed teams, information sharing, high-quality work and employment security. As for the relationship between the high performance work system and safety performance were determined by using inferential statistics which is the Pearson Correlation Analysis whereas the dominant factor was determined using the Simple Linear Regression Analysis. Besides that, this study has revealed that there are significant relationships between the dimensions of high performance work system and safety performance. The safety training were determined as the dominant factor that influences safety performance the most. New findings were discovered in this research which has strengthened the previous studies in this field. As a conclusion, several managerial implications and recommendations upon future research were also identified whereby it indicates that the high performance work system should be practiced at the workplace

Composition and Functionality of Lipid Emulsions in Parenteral Nutrition: Examining Evidence in Clinical Applications

Lipid emulsions (LEs), an integral component in parenteral nutrition (PN) feeding, have shifted from the primary aim of delivering non-protein calories and essential fatty acids to defined therapeutic outcomes such as reducing inflammation, and improving metabolic and clinical outcomes. Use of LEs in PN for surgical and critically ill patients is particularly well established, and there is enough literature assigning therapeutic and adverse effects to specific LEs. This narrative review contrarily puts into perspective the fatty acid compositional (FAC) nature of LE formulations, and discusses clinical applications and outcomes according to the biological function and structural functionality of fatty acids and co-factors such as phytosterols, α-tocopherol, emulsifiers and vitamin K. In addition to soybean oil-based LEs, this review covers clinical studies using the alternate LEs that incorporates physical mixtures combining medium- and long-chain triglycerides or structured triglycerides or the unusual olive oil or fish oil. The Jaded score was applied to assess the quality of these studies, and we report outcomes categorized as per immuno-inflammatory, nutritional, clinical, and cellular level FAC changes. It appears that the FAC nature of LEs is the primary determinant of desired clinical outcomes, and we conclude that one type of LE alone cannot be uniformly applied to patient care

Protein-energy wasting and nutritional supplementation in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Background & aims Protein-Energy Wasting (PEW) is the depletion of protein/energy stores observed in the most advanced stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). PEW is highly prevalent among patients on chronic dialysis, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, high morbidity/mortality rates and increased healthcare costs. This narrative review was aimed at exploring the pathophysiology of PEW in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. The main aspects of nutritional status evaluation, intervention and monitoring in this clinical setting were described, as well as the current approaches for the prevention and treatment of ESRD-related PEW. Methods An exhaustive literature search was performed, in order to identify the relevant studies describing the epidemiology, pathogenesis, nutritional intervention and outcome of PEW in ESRD on hemodialysis. Results and conclusion The pathogenesis of PEW is multifactorial. Loss of appetite, reduced intake of nutrients and altered lean body mass anabolism/catabolism play a key role. Nutritional approach to PEW should be based on a careful and periodic assessment of nutritional status and on timely dietary counseling. When protein and energy intakes are reduced, nutritional supplementation by means of specific oral formulations administered during the hemodialysis session may be the first-step intervention, and represents a valid nutritional approach to PEW prevention and treatment since it is easy, effective and safe. Omega-3 fatty acids and fibers, now included in commercially available preparations for renal patients, could lend relevant added value to macronutrient supplementation. When oral supplementation fails, intradialytic parenteral nutrition can be implemented in selected patients

Impact Of Gender Roles And Business Type: A Study Of Entrepreneurship Among AIM Microcredit Borrowers

Gender roles and business type are two important elements that determine the success of an entrepreneurship activity. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of those two elements on the success of entrepreneurship activities of AIM microcredit borrowers. Data was collected based on a survey with a total of 133 AIM borrowers in Selangor, Malaysia. It consists of 71 men borrowers and 62 women borrowers. The research findings show a significance difference in the impact of gender roles and business type on the success of men and women borrowers. The findings of the survey suggest that impact of gender roles are more significant on the success of women borrowers compared to the men borrowers while the type of business conducted which varies from public transportation business to food and beverage business determines the success of men borrowers as well as the women borrowers. It is argued that gender roles have greater influence on the success of female borrowers compare to men borrowers whereas the choice of type of business differ between male and female borrowers. Female borrowers concentrated more on food and beverages and tailoring business while most male borrowers involved in public transportation business as taxi drivers. This study is expected to highlight the difference in entrepreneurship success determinants between men and women borrowers of AIM

Children\u27s exposure to food advertising on free-to-air television: an Asia-Pacific perspective

There is an established link between food promotions and children\u27s food purchase and consumption. Children in developing countries may be more vulnerable to food promotions given the relative novelty of advertising in these markets. This study aimed to determine the scope of television food advertising to children across the Asia-Pacific to inform policies to restrict this marketing. Six sites were sampled, including from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea. At each site, 192 h of television were recorded (4 days, 16 h/day, three channels) from May to October 2012. Advertised foods were categorized as core/healthy, non-core/unhealthy or miscellaneous, and by product type. Twenty-seven percent of advertisements were for food/beverages, and the most frequently advertised product was sugar-sweetened drinks. Rates of non-core food advertising were highest during viewing times most popular with children, when between 3 (South Korea) and 15 (Indonesia) non-core food advertisements were broadcast each hour. Children in the Asia-Pacific are exposed to high volumes of unhealthy food/beverage television advertising. Different policy arrangements for food advertising are likely to contribute to regional variations in advertising patterns. Cities with the lowest advertising rates can be identified as exemplars of good policy practice