Alcohol intake in relation to diet and obesity in women and men

Article Abstract:

Alcohol consumption and obesity have both been shown to be risk factors associated with the development of diseases such as breast cancer and heart disease. It has been suggested that drinking alcohol may reduce nutrient intake by substituting for other sources of calories in the diet, and that people who drink alcohol may have different dietary preferences. Several studies have reported that alcohol consumption is associated with a lower intake of carbohydrates, and that it is inversely related to body mass index (a measure of obesity) in women. To gain a better understanding of the relationships among alcohol intake, nutrient intake, and obesity, 89,538 women and 48,493 men were studied. As alcohol consumption increased, the daily intake of carbohydrate decreased. Drinking alcohol was associated with a lower daily intake of sugar. The amount of candy consumed on a daily basis decreased as the amount of alcohol increased. In men and women, the total daily energy intake increased as alcohol consumption increased. In women, but not in men, increased alcohol consumption was associated with a decrease in body mass index. The daily intake of fat, cholesterol and protein increased slightly as alcohol consumption increased. These results are similar to those reported in previous studies showing that increased alcohol consumption is associated with a decrease in carbohydrate intake and an increase in the total amount of calories. It is suggested that drinking alcohol suppresses the appetite for sweets, and that sweets may suppress the appetite for alcohol in recovering alcoholics. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Women, Food and nutrition, Drinking of alcoholic beverages, Drinking (Alcoholic beverages), Men, Alcoholics, Alcohol use, Alcohol in the body

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Selenium in diet, blood, and toenails in relation to human health in a seleniferous area

Article Abstract:

A few epidemiologic studies have reported that increasing the amount of selenium in the diet may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. These studies have prompted interest in determining the maximum amounts of selenium that can be ingested without causing adverse effects. Selenium toxicity is associated with loss of nails, nerve disorders and altered liver function. In some regions of South Dakota, the soil contains large amounts of selenium, and crops that are grown in this soil contain high concentrations of selenium. To determine if a high dietary intake of selenium is associated with adverse health effects, 142 people living on ranches in South Dakota and eastern Wyoming were examined. The subjects underwent physical examinations, completed questionnaires, and supplied samples of toenails, urine and blood for analysis. The national average for daily selenium intake is estimated to be between 60 and 160 micrograms. Approximately half of the subjects in this study had daily selenium intakes greater than 200 micrograms. There were no physical symptoms of selenium toxicity in any of the subjects, even those with daily selenium intakes as high as 724 micrograms. It is concluded that ingestion of high doses of dietary selenium (as high as 724 micrograms per day) does not appear to have adverse health affects. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Nutritional aspects, Soils, Soil chemistry, Selenium in human nutrition, Selenium (Nutrient), South Dakota, Soil mineralogy

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Selenium intake, age, gender, and smoking in relation to indices of selenium status of adults residing in a seleniferous area

Article Abstract:

Several studies have associated low blood levels of selenium, a nonmetallic element resembling sulfur, with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. It has been assumed that low selenium levels were linked to low selenium intake, but studies have provided conflicting results. Factors such as age, gender, race, smoking, and disease states influence selenium levels. Evaluating the relationship between intake and blood levels is difficult because the selenium content of foods varies widely. The average selenium intake of 44 adults (20 female) in South Dakota and Wyoming, both high selenium areas, was estimated by collecting duplicate samples of meals, and measuring levels of selenium in blood and toenails. Urinary excretion accounted for 70 percent of selenium intake. Blood and tissue levels of selenium correlated strongly with selenium intake and were the single most important determinant of body levels. Although men had a selenium intake 66 percent greater than that of women (because they ate more food), their blood and tissue levels were similar. Smokers consumed 35 percent less selenium than nonsmokers, and blood and tissue levels were 12 to 23 percent lower. The study demonstrates the importance of selenium intake to selenium levels in the body. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Selenium

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