It is well known that natural antioxidants contained in foods are significantly lost during processing. Nevertheless it was recently demonstrated that thermal treatments can induce the formation of ...compounds with new antioxidant properties. This is the case of the Maillard reaction products (MRPs) whose presence as well as their potential effects have been scarcely investigated. In the present work the loss of natural antioxidants in relation to processing and the formation of MRPs with antioxidant activity were studied in different food systems such as tomato derivatives and coffee. Results showed that, although the concentration of natural antioxidants was significantly reduced as a consequence of the thermal treatments, the overall antioxidant properties of the food products were maintained or even enhanced by the development of MRPs.
Abstract Background and aims Oxidative processes have been related to atherosclerosis, but there is scanty information on the role of dietary antioxidants in the prevention of acute myocardial ...infarction (AMI). Methods and results The relationship between non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) and the risk of nonfatal AMI was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Milan, Italy, between 1995 and 2003. Cases were 760 patients below 75 years with a first episode of AMI and controls were 682 patients admitted to hospitals for acute conditions, who completed an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire, tested for validity and reproducibility. NEAC (excluding coffee) was measured using Italian food composition tables in terms of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP). The odds ratios (OR) of AMI, and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were obtained by multiple logistic regression models including terms for main risk factors of AMI and total energy intake. NEAC was inversely related with the risk of AMI. The ORs for the highest quintile compared with the lowest one were 0.41 (95% CI, 0.27–0.63) for FRAP, 0.42 (95% CI, 0.27–0.65) for TEAC and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.27–0.62) for TRAP, with significant trends in risk. The inverse relationship was apparently stronger in women and in subjects aged ≥60 years. Conclusions Our results support a favorable role of dietary NEAC in the prevention of AMI, and encourage a high consumption of fruit and vegetables and a moderate consumption of wine and whole cereals.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The association of diabetes mellitus with HCC suggests that dietary glycemic load ...(GL) may influence HCC risk. We have examined the association between dietary GL and HCC.
We conducted a hospital-based case–control study in Italy in 1999–2002, including 185 HCC cases and 412 controls who answered a validated food frequency questionnaire and provided blood samples. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using unconditional multiple logistic regression.
We observed a positive association between GL and HCC overall, with an OR of 3.02 (95% CI 1.49–6.12) for the highest quintile of GL compared with the lowest and a significant trend. The OR among HCC cases with evidence of chronic infection with HBV and/or HCV was 3.25 (95% CI 1.46–7.22), while the OR among those with no evidence of infection was 2.45 (95% CI 0.69–8.64), with no significant trend. The association was not explained by the presence of cirrhosis or diabetes.
High dietary GL is associated with increased risk for HCC. The positive association was most pronounced among HCC cases with HBV and/or HCV markers.
BACKGROUNDMalnutrition in Intensive Care Unit patients has been associated with worse clinical outcomes such as mortality and length of stay (LOS) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and nutritional status ...of Intensive Care Unit patients in particular seemed to be a significant predictor of mortality. Promptness of clinical nutrition administration is a key of nutritional support whenever volitional intake is unfeasible. Early enteral nutrition is associated with better clinical outcomes (reduced complications, LOS in ICU and in Hospital). The aim of this study is to investigate the nutrition therapy management in a large Academic Hospital, evaluating its effects on mortality and LOS in ICU and in the Hospital. STUDY DESIGNData were collected retrospectively from clinical records. Six physicians were trained on the data collection protocol and they reviewed every clinical record of patients included in the survey. METHODSData of 426 patients admitted to ICUs between November 2016, 1st and April 2017, 30th were collected. A multivariate logistic adjusted regression, with backward variables selection method, was performed in order to identify predictors of enteral and parenteral nutrition conducted within 48 hours after admission to the ICU. The relation between medical nutrition therapy, mortality and LOS in ICU and in the Hospital were also evaluated. RESULTSPatients were given prompt parenteral and enteral nutrition in 25.12% and 27.46% of cases, respectively. No association was found between medical nutrition therapy and ICU or hospital mortality. Predictors of early enteral nutrition were type of admission and surgery before admission; early parenteral nutrition predictors were gender, ICU (A vs B), impaired immunity status and Central Venous Catheter presence at admission. CONCLUSIONSOur study stresses the need of monitoring nutrition prescribing behaviors in acute hospitals in order to better set up tailored interventions to standardize clinicians' practices and to focus on specific training targets.
Background: Insulin and insulin-like growth factors can stimulate proliferation of colorectal cells. High intake of refined carbohydrates and markers of insulin resistance are associated with ...colorectal cancer. To test the insulin/colon cancer hypothesis, we determined whether the dietary glycemic index and the glyceniic load are associated with colorectal cancer risk. Design A case-control study on colorectal cancer conducted in Italy. Cases included 1125 men and 828 women with histologically confirmed incident cancer of the colon or rectum. Controls were 2073 men and 2081 women hospitalized for acute conditions. We calculated average daily dietary glycemic index and glycemic load, and fiber intake from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Results: Direct associations with colorectal cancer risk emerged for glycemic index (odds ratio (OR) in highest vs. lowest quintile = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–2.0) and glycemic load (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5–2.2), after allowance for sociodemographic factors, physical activity, number of daily meals, and intakes of fiber, alcohol and energy. ORs were more elevated for cancer of the colon than rectum. Overweight and low intake of fiber from vegetables and fruit appeared to amplify the adverse consequences of high glycemic load. Conclusions: The positive associations of glycemic index and load with colorectal cancer suggest a detrimental role of refined carbohydrates in the etiology of the disease.
Although consumption of whole-grain foods seems to reduce the risk of several types of neoplasms, the potential influence of a diet rich in starches and refined grains is less clear.
We studied the ...relation between the frequency of consumption of refined cereals (bread, pasta, or rice) and the risk of selected neoplasms.
This was an integrated series of case-control studies conducted in northern Italy between 1983 and 1993. The subjects were patients admitted to the major teaching and general hospitals in Milan and Pordenone with incident, histologically confirmed cancers: 343 with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, 94 with cancer of the esophagus, 146 with cancer of the larynx, 745 with cancer of the stomach, 955 with cancer of the colon, 625 with cancer of the rectum, and 428 with cancer of the thyroid. The control subjects were 3526 patients admitted to the same network of hospitals for acute nonneoplastic conditions unrelated to long-term modification of diet. Odds ratios (ORs) for consecutive tertiles of refined-cereal consumption were computed after allowance for sociodemographic variables, education, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain foods.
The ORs for the highest tertile of refined-cereal intake were 1.6 for cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, or larynx; 1.5 for stomach cancer; 1.5 for colon cancer; 1.3 for cancer of the rectum; and 2.0 for thyroid cancer. The trends in risk were significant for all neoplasms considered.
Consumption of refined cereals was associated with an increased risk of cancers of the large bowel, the stomach, and other selected digestive and nondigestive sites.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published dietary guidelines for the intakes of carbohydrates, fiber, fats and water. We evaluated their role on the risk of a specific disease, ...known to be related to diet.
We used data from an Italian case-control study including 1953 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 4154 controls. We developed a so-called EFSA index summing up 1 point for adherence to each EFSA guideline. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CRC and its subsites were derived from unconditional multiple logistic regression models, for both the index and its components.
When each EFSA index component was analyzed separately, we found significant increased risks of CRC for non adherence to the guidelines on linoleic (OR=1.20, 95% CI, 1.07-1.36) and alpha-linolenic fatty acids (OR=1.19, 95% CI, 1.06-1.34). When all the guidelines were included in the same model, no significant association emerged. Compared with minimal adherence, the ORs of CRC for subsequent EFSA index scores were 1.03 (95% CI, 0.72-1.47), 1.05 (95% CI, 0.75-1.48), 1.04 (95% CI, 0.81-1.60), 0.99 (95% CI, 0.69-1.43), and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.67-1.61). No significant association emerged for colon and rectal cancer separately, and for males and females.
Overall adherence to the EFSA dietary guidelines is not associated to colorectal, colon and rectal cancer risk in our population. Adherence to guidelines on linoleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids may have a modest beneficial role on CRC risk.
Summary Background The role of selected micronutrients, vitamins and minerals in the aetiology of epithelial ovarian cancer was investigated using data from a case-control study conducted between ...1992 and 1999 in five Italian areas Patients and methods Cases were 1031 patients with histologically confirmed incident epithelial ovarian cancer Controls were 2411 subjects admitted for acute, non-neoplastic diseases to major hospitals in the same catchment areas Dietary habits were elicited using a validated food frequency questionnaire including 78 food groups and recipes Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed by quintiles of intake of nutrients Results Inverse associations emerged for vitamin E (OR = 0 6, 95% CI 0.5–0.8), beta-carotene (OR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.6–10), lutein/zeaxanthin (OR = 0 6, 95% CI 0 5–0.8 for the highest vs the lowest quintile of intake), and calcium intake (OR = 0 7, 95% CI 0 6–10) When the combined effect of calcium and vitamin E was considered, the OR reached 0 4 (95% CI 0 3–0 7) for subjects in the highest compared to those in the lowest intake tertile of both micronutrients Results were consistent across strata of menopausal status, parity and family history of ovarian or breast cancer. Conclusions The intake of selected micronutrients, which were positively correlated to a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, was inversely associated with ovarian cancer.
Background: Dietary habits have been suggested as a factor related to the increase of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) incidence in western populations, but the role of individual nutrients is still ...unclear.
Patients and methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Italy, 1999–2002. Cases: 190 incident, histologically-confirmed NHL cases aged 18–84 years. Controls: 484 subjects admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic diseases unrelated to diet. Dietary habits were assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire; nutrient intakes were computed using the Italian food composition database. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for tertiles of intake of nutrient were computed using the energy-adjusted residual models.
Results: Inverse association emerged for polyunsaturated fatty acids (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9), linoleic acid (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9), and vitamin D (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9). The protective effect for linoleic acid (OR=0.3; 95% CI: 0.2–0.7) and vitamin D (OR=0.4; 95% CI: 0.2–0.9) was stronger in women; no differences emerged according to age. Linoleic acid was inversely related to follicular and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; the protective effect of vitamin D emerged most clearly for follicular subtypes.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk of NHL.
Objective: The reproducibility and validity of coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea intake has not been adequately studied, particularly in Italy, where coffee drinking is peculiar in terms of type ...and amount of coffee consumed. Design: We compared coffee and tea consumption, measured by two interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), with average intake derived from two 7-day dietary (DD) records (the reference method) on 395 volunteers. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to assess both reproducibility and validity of information on coffee intake. Results: A satisfactory level of reproducibility and validity of the pattern consumption was observed for coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea. The reproducibility for both sex combined showed r of 0.74-0.78 for coffee, 0.57-0.65 for decaffeinated coffee and 0.61-0.67 for tea. The validity was about 0.70 for coffee, around 0.58 for decaffeinated coffee and 0.56-0.60 for tea intake. Conclusions: The FFQ is a satisfactorily reliable and valid instrument for collecting information on coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea intake.
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