Effects of nutrition education on levels of nutritional awareness of pregnant women in Western iran

BACKGROUND: Maternal nutritional health, before and during pregnancy, influences the health status of herself and her developing fetus. Pregnancy is an important condition for improving nutritional knowledge. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at determining effects of nutrition education on levels of nutritional awareness of a representative group of pregnant women in Western Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental intervention was undertaken on a random sample of pregnant women (n = 100) attending urban health centers in Ilam city (western Iran) during the year 2011 for prenatal care. A nutritional education program containing two to four lessons was undertaken for small groups of between six to ten women. Nutritional knowledge was assessed before intervention (pretest) and followed by two posttests within three weeks interval. RESULTS: The awareness level of pregnant women about healthy nutrition was significantly increased from 3 before intervention to 31 after the nutritional education intervention (P < 0.001). This significant difference was independent from maternal characteristics of age and levels of literacy and in obese mothers in particular. CONCLUSIONS: A nutritional education intervention will have a positive effect on nutritional awareness of pregnant women

Feed quality control of aquatic in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Nutrient and chemical composition, TVN, bacteria, yeast, mold and carcass performance, of aquatic feeds which make in this province were determined. In order to above investigation three commercial aquatic steam pelleted feeds samples for stage of growth and fattening were taken randomly from farm and aquatic factory product. In first trail feed sampled were analyzed for dry matter, crud protein, ether extract, ash, phosphorous, TVN, bacteria, yeast and mold computation. In second trial the experiment was carried out in complete random in design with four treatments and three replicate in each for effect of samples diets on feed consumption (FC), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), which were examined in Juveniles rainbow trout. This experiment were conducted on 3600 Juveniles rainbow trout with initial average weight of 80 gr, for 130 days after antiseptic processes in a pool of one fish producer in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The feed were given 3 times a day on biomass basis of pounds. During the experiment, once every two weeks, after anaesthetize, weights of 30 fishes in each pound were measuring. The results showed, diet crud protein were significantly differ (P<0.05) between many of feeds. In addition nutrient of diets were differ a little when compare with rainbow trout requirement. Crud protein, phosphorous and EE in starter, grower and finisher of diets were lower than rainbow trout requirement and differ was significant (P<0.05). The index of TVN that shows free nitrogen, were higher than standard in all samples. Bacteria, yeast and mold computation in different of feeds showed that main of total count, yeast and mold in diets of various stage for growth of rainbow trout were different with standards and the differ were higher significantly (P<0.05). The number of coliforms of diets was lower than that suggestion for rainbow trout diets

Probiotic yogurt Affects Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Factors in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an irregular response of immune system accompanied with different inflammatory manifestations including alterations in cytokines. Probiotics are non-pathogenic organisms with probable effects in various conditions such as inflammation. The present study hypothesized whether oral intake of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus in form of probiotic yogurt may represent an immunomodulatory effect in IBD patients. Overally, 210 patients in remission phase and 95 healthy people were recruited. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of either 250 grams of probiotic yogurt (PI) or 250 grams of plain yogurt (PC) daily for 8 weeks. The healthy control group (HG) also received probiotic yogurt as noted. The serum levels of cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, IL-10 and CRP levels were measured at baseline and at termination time. A significant difference was observed between intervention groups of PI and PC with HG group (p < 0.05). After the intervention, serum levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and CRP were significantly decreased in PI group compared to their baseline values and intervention groups. The serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased significantly after the intervention compared to baseline values and PC levels (all p-values < 0.05). Intestinal homeostasis is a balance between pro and anti-inflammatory responses of intestinal immunocytes and could be maintained by probiotics

Fructose and high fructose corn syrup: are they a two-edged sword?

High-fructose syrups are used as sugar substitutes due to their physical and functional properties. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used in bakery products, dairy products, breakfast cereals and beverages, but it has been reported that there might be a direct relationship between high fructose intake and adverse health effects such as obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Thus, fructose has recently received much attention, most of which was negative. Although studies have indicated that there might be a correlation between high fructose-rich diet and several adverse effects, however, the results of these studies cannot be certainly generalised to the effects of HFCS; because they have investigated pure fructose at very high concentrations in measurement of metabolic upsets. This review critically considered the advantages and possible disadvantages of HFCS application and consumption in food industry, as a current challenging issue between nutritionists and food technologists