The sociodemographic characteristics and dietary and blood plasma fatty acid profiles of elderly Saudi women with Alzheimer disease

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and due to various physiological and psychological factors the patients are at risk of nutritional insufficiencies. The purpose of this study was to assess the dietary fatty acid intake and its effect on plasma fatty acids in elderly Saudi women and to compare the differences in their food and plasma fatty acid profile on the basis of their residence. Methods A total of 76 elderly women (50–100 years) were recruited through a random sampling method. A structured proforma was designed to gather information related to their age, income, dietary habits, and presence of any disease and awareness of AD. A 24-h dietary recall method for 3 days and food frequency questionnaire, concentrating on fish consumption and consumption of foods rich in ω-3 fatty acids, which was planned by dietitians, was used for dietary assessment. The gathered data were then analyzed using food processor software. The blood samples were collected to determine plasma fatty acids. Results The mean age of women diagnosed with AD was more than 75 years, and the prevalence of illiteracy was higher among AD subjects. As compared to the AD group, the concentration of LA and total ω-6 was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the control group from both recruitment sites [National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh (NGH) and Social Welfare Homes for the Elderly (SWH)]. Similarly, the concentrations of EPA, DHA, and ω-3 were also slightly higher in the control group at both sites, but the difference between the control and AD subjects was only significant (p ≤ 0.05) in subjects from NGH. We found no significant difference in the ω-6/ ω-3 ratio between groups. Also, no significant difference was found in the mean level of the plasma fatty acid when comparing the control and AD groups. The concentration of DHA in controls only and AA, EPA and ω-6 in both control and AD were significant (although weakly) correlated with their respective dietary intakes. No correlations were found between the intake of 18 C precursors (LA and ALA) and plasma levels of their long chain derivatives (AA, EPA, and DHA). Education, income, overall health status and the concentration of various fatty acids from food was higher and better in subjects from SWH than NGH. The lower plasma level indicates lower impaired systemic availability of several nutrients. Conclusion We found that dietary intervention might play a role in the prevention of AD

Average daily intake of artificially food color additives by school children in Saudi Arabia

Food safety is related to nutritional risk in children. This study is to determine the types of artificial food color additives (AFCAs) daily intake by school children aged 6 to 17 years for ten AFCAs. Sunset Yellow (E110), Tartrazine (E102), Carmoisine (E122), Brilliant Blue (E133), Allura Red (E129), Black PN (E151), Indigo Carmine (E132), and Fast Green (E143) were identified using 24 h food consumption questionnaire, including the two unapproved AFCAs, Red 2G (E128) and Erythrosine (E127) in 839 food products. These food products are distributed into nine categories, containing juices and drinks, ice cream, cakes, jelly, chocolates, candy, chips, biscuits, and chewing gum. Results showed that the artificial food colors, Carmoisine (32.3 %) and Sunset Yellow (30.1 %) were the most highly consumed AFCAs by school children, whereas Erythrosine (0.05 %) was consumed the least. Therefore, Sunset Yellow was highly consumed (30.1 %) and detected in high amounts by high performance liquid chromatography, (HPLC) 34.2 %. The average daily intake (ADI) of AFCAs decreased with age to varying degrees in both sexes. In comparison to the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, acceptable daily intakes, most permitted colors exceeded their acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) in the 6–11 years of age groups, and most permitted colors were within the recommended ADIs in the 12–17 years of age group. The average daily intake of AFCAs by school children decreased with age. Therefore, further studies are required to gain information about the possible negative health effects of high intake of these AFCAs on the test population