The immune system and the impact of zinc during aging

The trace element zinc is essential for the immune system, and zinc deficiency affects multiple aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. There are remarkable parallels in the immunological changes during aging and zinc deficiency, including a reduction in the activity of the thymus and thymic hormones, a shift of the T helper cell balance toward T helper type 2 cells, decreased response to vaccination, and impaired functions of innate immune cells. Many studies confirm a decline of zinc levels with age. Most of these studies do not classify the majority of elderly as zinc deficient, but even marginal zinc deprivation can affect immune function. Consequently, oral zinc supplementation demonstrates the potential to improve immunity and efficiently downregulates chronic inflammatory responses in the elderly. These data indicate that a wide prevalence of marginal zinc deficiency in elderly people may contribute to immunosenescence

Voices of the hungry: a qualitative measure of household food access and food insecurity in South Africa

South Africa is rated a food secure nation, but large numbers of households within the country have inadequate access to nutrient-rich diverse foods. The study sought to investigate households’ physical and economic access and availability of food, in relation to local context which influences households’ access to and ability to grow food which may affect the dietary quality. We sought to understand self-reported healthy diets, food insecurity from the perspective of people who experienced it, barriers to household food security and perceptions and feelings on food access as well as strategies households use to cope with food shortages and their perceptions on improving household food security

TEA CONSUMPION PATTERNS OF 13-25 YEAR-OLDS IN HE VAAL TRIANGLE, SOUTH AFRICA

This study formed part of a larger project in which food and beverage fortification as a way to address specific micronutrient deficiencies was evaluated in selected subjects in the Vaal Triangle. The objective of this study was to examine the suitability of the habit of tea drinking as a vehicle for fortification. This was achieved through a survey which sought information about the amount of tea consumed, the type of tea mostly consumed, additions to the tea, when tea is consumed, the reasons for tea consumption and preference for tea or other beverages. The study was conducted in a randomly selected sample of 500 male and female Africans, aged 13 to 25 years in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods were used simultaneously and sequentially to collect data. Questionnaires were designed in which open questions addressing the objectives of the research were validated and sent out to collect the information. The results showed that most respondents (92.9 %) consumed at least one cup of tea daily, with rooibos tea selected as the most popular in this study (50 % of tea consumed). Sugar (40.4 %) and milk (37.0 %) are added most often to the tea. Respondents indicated that the preferred times for tea consumption are at breakfast, early morning and evening. According to the preference scales of these respondents, tea was the third most consumed beverage in summer and the first most consumed beverage in winter. Key words: fortification, micronutrient deficiencies, tea consumption. Résumé LES MODELES DE CONSOMMATION DE THE DE 13-25 ANNEE VIEILLE DANS LE TRIANGLE DE VAAL, SA Cette étude formé d'un grand projet dans lequel nourriture et comme une façon adresser spécifique micronutrient a été évalué dans choisi sujets dans le Vaal . L'objectif de cette étude était d'examiner le suitability de l'habitude de boire de thé comme un véhicule pour fortification. Ceci a été atteint par une étude qui a cherché information de la quantité de thé consommé, le type de thé surtout , additions au thé, quand thé est consommé, les raisons pour thé et préférence pour thé ou autre boissons. {The study was conducted in a randomly selected sample of 500 male and female Africans, aged 13 to 25 years old in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods were used simultaneously and sequentially to collect data. Questionnaires were designed in which open questions addressing the objectives of the research were validated and sent out to collect the information.} Les résultats ont montré que la plupart des répondants (92.9 %) a consommé au moins une tasse de thé quotidien, avec le thé de rooibos a choisi comme le plus populaire dans cette étude (50 % de thé a consommé). Le sucre (40.4 %) et le lait (37.0 %) sont ajouté le plus souvent au thé. Répondants a indiqué que le préféré temps pour thé sont à petit déjeuner, premier matin et soir. Selon la préférence de ces répondants, thé était le tiers plus consommé dans été et le premièrement dans hiver. Le mots principal: fortification, les déficiences de micronutrient, la consommation de thé. (Af. J. Food and Nutritional Sciences: 2002 2 (1): 38-45

Tea Consumption Patterns Of 13-25 Year Olds In The Vaal Triangle, South Africa

This study formed part of a larger project in which food and beverage fortification as a way to address specific micronutrient deficiencies was evaluated in selected subjects in the Vaal Triangle. The objective of this study was to examine the suitability of the habit of tea drinking as a vehicle for fortification. This was achieved through a survey which sought information about the amount of tea consumed, the type of tea mostly consumed, additions to the tea, when tea is consumed, the reasons for tea consumption and preference for tea or other beverages. The study was conducted in a randomly selected sample of 500 male and female Africans, aged 13 to 25 years in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods were used simultaneously and sequentially to collect data. Questionnaires were designed in which open questions addressing the objectives of the research were validated and sent out to collect the information. The results showed that most respondents (92.9 %) consumed at least one cup of tea daily, with rooibos tea selected as the most popular in this study (50 % of tea consumed). Sugar (40.4 %) and milk (37.0 %) are added most often to the tea. Respondents indicated that the preferred times for tea consumption are at breakfast, early morning and evening. According to the preference scales of these respondents, tea was the third most consumed beverage in summer and the first most consumed beverage in winter

CO-EXISTENCE OF OVER- AND UNDERNUTRITION RELATED DISEASES IN LOW INCOME, HIGH-BURDEN COUNTRIES: A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE 17TH IUNS CONGRESS OF NUTRITION, VIENNA AUSTRIA 2001

Adequate nutrition is a basic human right, but globally it remains unmet for many pre-school children. Poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition continue to be obstacles to human rights, quality of life and dignity. The 1995 goal to eradicate poverty in the world by 2020 is not on target in developing countries; rather, poverty has been increasing. Over 800 million people suffer from malnutrition in developing countries and over 20 % of the populations are hungry. About one third of the world's population suffer from micronutrient deficiencies and hundreds of millions suffer from chronic diseases of lifestyle. Prevalence rates, particularly low birth weight, stunting and underweight, remain high particularly in Eastern Africa and South Central Asia. More than a third of all children in developing countries remain constrained in their physical growth and cognitive development. The 1990 ambitious goal of halving childhood underweight prevalence by the year 2000 has not been achieved by most countries. Global progress in fighting malnutrition is slow and crippled by rapid increase of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, the so-called “double burden of disease”. About 115 million people suffered from obesity related diseases in the year 2000. Overweight and obesity (globesity) prevalence is advancing rapidly in developing countries. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and stroke as one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity globally, will continue to be first and second leading causes of death in the world. Most developing countries, including South Africa, currently are in the process of transition and experiencing the double burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases in which chronic diseases of lifestyle such as CVD have emerged while the battle against infectious diseases has not been won. In the last few years the HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread extremely rapidly and is likely to double overall mortality rates, undermine child survival and halve the life expectancy over the next five years. The co-existence of over- and under-nutrition calls for urgent innovative strategies and interventions to tackle the problem. The importance of prevention as the most sensible strategy is emphasised. This overview emphasises that, in planning nutrition strategies and interventions in low income, high-burden countries such as South Africa risk factors for both over- and under-nutrition and related diseases should be targeted and addressed. Keywords: over- and under-nutrition, double burden of disease and developing countries. (Af. J. Food and Nutritional Sciences: 2001 1 (1): 34-42

Prevalence, types, risk factors and clinical correlates of anaemia in older people in a rural Ugandan population.

BACKGROUND: Studies conducted in high income countries have shown that anaemia is a common medical condition among older people, but such data are scarce in Africa. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence, types, risk factors and clinical correlates of anaemia in older people. METHODS: Participants were aged (≥ 50) years recruited from a general population cohort from January 2012 to January 2013. Blood samples were collected for assessing hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum vitamin B12, serum folate, C-reactive protein, malaria infection and stool samples for assessment of hookworm infection. HIV status was assessed using an algorithm for HIV rapid testing. Questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and other risk factors for anaemia. RESULTS: In total, 1449 people participated (response rate 72.3%). The overall prevalence of anaemia was 20.3 % (95% CI 18.2-22.3%), and this was higher for males (24.1%, 95% CI=20.7-27.7%) than females (17.5%, 95% CI=15.0-20.1%). In males, the prevalence of anaemia increased rapidly with age almost doubling between 50 and 65 years (p-trend<0.001). Unexplained anaemia was responsible for more than half of all cases (59.7%). Anaemia was independently associated with infections including malaria (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.78-6.82), HIV (OR 2.17, 1.32-3.57) heavy hookworm infection (OR 3.45, 1.73-6.91), low fruit consumption (OR 1.55, 1.05-2.29) and being unmarried (OR 1.37 , 95% CI 1.01-1.89). However, the odds of anaemia were lower among older people with elevated blood pressure (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29-0.77). CONCLUSION: Anaemia control programmes in Uganda should target older people and should include interventions to treat and control hookworms and educational programs on diets that enhance iron absorption. Clinicians should consider screening older people with HIV or malaria for anaemia. Further studies should be done on unexplained anaemia and serum ferritin levels that predict iron deficiency anaemia in older people