Protein-calorie malnutrition in squirrel monkeys: adaptive response to calorie deficiency

Article Abstract:

Several types of malnutrition have been described, based on the nutrient that is most inadequate in the diet. Protein deficiency and calorie (energy) deficiency may occur independent of each other, or in combination. Malnutrition primarily due to protein deficiency is known as kwashiorkor; energy deficiency is usually called marasmus. The symptoms of and treatments for protein versus calorie malnutrition are different. Infant squirrel monkeys were chosen as experimental subjects because their growth and metabolism are similar to human infants. Monkeys were fed either a low-protein diet, a low-calorie diet, or a low-protein and low-calorie diet. All restrictions were severe enough to prevent any growth at a stage when growth is normally rapid. Monkeys fed the low-protein diet became inefficient at using calories, wasting some of the energy in their diet. Restricting protein appeared to raise the animal's energy needs. However, restricting calories did not raise protein needs in this study, which contradicts previous research. This has application to human populations during famine. It is concluded that when total food (calorie) intake is limited, protein needs do not rise. If additional protein foods were needed during starvation, they could not be obtained and the individuals would not survive. Foods high in protein are generally less available than other foods in a malnourished community.

Models, Nutrition, Protein metabolism, Malnutrition, Nutritional requirements, Kwashiorkor

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Nutritional evaluation of Huntington disease patients

Article Abstract:

Huntington disease, or Huntington's chorea, is an inherited, progressive disease of the nervous system characterized by uncontrollable muscle movements, mental and emotional deficits, and memory loss. A study evaluated the diet of 18 choreic patients living in San Luis, Venezuela. This village has the greatest concentration of Huntington disease in one family throughout the world. The choreic subjects' nutritional intake was of interest because there is evidence of biochemical disturbances of nutrients with this disease. Compared to normal control subjects, more choreic patients were underweight, especially those in advanced stages of the disease. Even though they reportedly had good appetites and ate as many or more calories than normal control subjects, 55 percent of advanced-stage patients were malnourished, compared with 17 percent of controls. Choreic patients may burn up more energy because the disease affects metabolic rate. Huntington patients had high vitamin A, low niacin (a B-vitamin) and low vitamin C intake. In general control subjects consumed a generally similar diet. For example, iron content of the diet was low for both choreic and control subjects. It is concluded that diet cannot explain the blood nutrient disturbances seen in Huntington disease, since controls ate a similar diet but did not share the abnormal biochemical patterns.

Health aspects, Venezuela, Body weight, Huntington's chorea, Huntington's disease

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