• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 1993

Folate and iron nutrition was studied in a total of 122 pregnant, lactaging, and non-pregant, non-lactating Korean women, Serum folate levels were determined microbiologically using Lactobacillus casei(ATCC 7469), and serum iron levels was analyzed colormetrically. The average folate values of pregnant and lactating women were 5.42ng/ml and 4.14ng/ml, which were significantly lower than that of the non-pregnant, non-lactating women(7.06ng/ml). More than 1/3 of the total subjects were found to have serum folate levels lower than 3ng/ml, at which folate nutrition status can be considered inadequate. Serum iron values of pregnant(96.9ug/dl)and lactating women(93.9ug/dl) were not significantly different from that of the non-pregnant, non-lactating women (97.1ug/dl). There were however, more iron-deficient subjects in the pregnant gorup(17%) and the lactating group(19%) than in the non-pregnant, non-lactating group (8%). A statistically significant positive correlation was shown between the levels of serum folate and iron in lactating women(r=.9694, p<0.05). The results of our study document that folate deficiency is a nutritional problem as prevalent as iron deficiency in Korean women, especially during pregnancy and lactation. For these women a routine folate and iron supplementation might be necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.427-434
• /
• 2014

This study investigated the quality characteristics of cookies containing mugwort powder, which is well known for its various functions and biological activity. Cookie samples were made by adding the mugwort powder at different levels of 0%, 1%, 3% and 5%. In this study, moisture, pH, color, spread factor, hardness, antioxidant activity and sensory evaluation of cookies were examined. The pH and moisture were increased when increasing levels of mugwort powder were used. The L, a and b color values were significantly (p<0.001) decreased when increasing levels of mugwort powder were used. The spread factor of the cookies was significantly (p<0.01) decreased when increasing levels of mugwort powder were used.. The hardness and DPPH radical scavenging activity of cookies were significantly (p<0.001) increased when increasing levels of mugwort powder were used. Cookies containing 3% of mugwort powder showed the highest taste and texture scores. The scores for Flavor and color decreased when more mugwort powder was added.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.317-321
• /
• 2008

Macrophages play a key role in iron metabolism by recycling iron through erythrophagocytosis. Ferroportin-l (FPN1) is a transporter protein that is known to mediate iron export from macrophages. Since divalent metals often interact with iron metabolism, we examined if divalent metals could regulate the expression of FPN1 in macrophages. J774 macrophage cells were treated with copper, manganese, zinc, or cobalt at 10, 50, or $100\;{\mu}M$ for 16 to 24 h. Then, FPN1 mRNA and protein levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. In addition, effects of divalent metals on FPN1 promoter activity were examined by luciferase reporter assays. Results showed that copper significantly increased FPN1 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The copper-induced expression of FPN1 mRNA was associated with a corresponding increase in FPN1 protein levels. Also, copper directly stimulated the activity of FPN1 promoter-driven reporter construct. In contrast, manganese and zinc had no effect on the FPN1 gene expression in J774 cells. Interestingly, cobalt treatment in J774 cells decreased FPN1 protein levels without affecting FPN1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, our study results demonstrate that divalent metals differentially regulate FPN1 expression in macrophages and indicate a potential interaction of divalent metals with the FPN1-mediated iron export in macrophages.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.33 no.8
• /
• pp.813-823
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the nutrition therapy and drug(simvastatin) treatment on the levels of blood lipids for the hyperlipidemic patients according to genetic polymorphism of apo CIII. Subjects of the study consisted of 43(male: 9, female: 34 )hyperlipidemic patients registered to Kyung Hee Medical Center, Intakes of nutrients for the subjects were determined by 24-hr recall method through a personal interviews. The subjects were instructed to take the hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic diets. Compliance was monitored through food records, personal interview, and body-weight measurements. The patients changed their basal diet containing 40. 1g fat(182.7mg cholesterol./day) to a diet containing 30.7g fat(139.2mg cholesterol/day) after 12 weeks of nutrition therapy. The distribution of genotypes for apo CIII by Msp I was 32.5% of TT, 50.0% of TC, and 17.5% of CC. aT the beginning of the study, the level of blood triglyceride was the highest for patients with TT and TC. Following the nutrition therapy, patients with CC exhibited the largest drop of blood triglyceride. Following simvastatin treatment with nutrition therapy, blood LDL-cholesterol decreased in most of the patiens with TT. Meanwhile the distribution of genotypes for apo CII by the Fok I was 10.0% of TT, 47.5% of TC, and 42.5% of CC. The level of blood triglyceride was the highest for patients with CC. Following the nutrition therapy, patients with TC exhibited a significant drop for the blood triglyceride. Following simvastatin treatment with nutrition therapy the level of blood LDL-cholesterol decreased in most of the patients with CC. We concluded that dietary habits and food have been changed by nutrition therapy. And blood lipid levels have been decreased by the restriction of intakes of energy, fat and cholesterol. There was variation in the levels of blood lipids according to apo CII polymorphisms. The level of blood lipids responded to nutrition therapy and drug treatment in different was according to genetic polymorphisms. Accordingly, the choice of individualized therapy based on the patient\\`s genetic polymorphism is very important for effective therapy(Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 813-823, 2000)

• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2004

Body antioxidant status is an important factor for the prevention of many chronic diseases in the elderly. This study was done to investigate antioxidant status and its relationship to immune response by measuring plasma cytokine (IL-2 and IL-6) levels in elderly women. Subjects were 76 elderly women aged over 60 years, visiting Jangwhi Social Welfare Center of Seongbook-Gu in Seoul. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age (< 65, 65 - 74, > 75). Dietary intakes were assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SFFQ). Plasma vitamin C level was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and plasma levels of vitamin E, A and ${\beta}$-carotene were measured by HPLC. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were determined with a solid phase sandwich enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) using commercial kits. The average intakes of antioxidant vitamins were 96.3mg (137.5% of RDA) for vitamin C and 523.3 ${\mu}$gRE (74.8% of RDA) for vitamin A in elderly women. All of the average plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were within normal range. However the percentage of the elderly women with deficiency plus marginal values were 7.9% in vitamin C, 9.2% in vitamin A and 7.9% in vitamin E. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were 27.1${\pm}$7.1pg/ml and 5.9${\pm}$5.3pg/ml in elderly women. Correlation data showed that plasma IL-2 level was negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C level. In addition, IL-6 level was also negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C, A and E levels, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance(TB-ARS) level and plasma IL-2 or IL-6 levels. In addition, erythrocyte TBARS level showed a significant positive correlation with plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) level and a significant negative correlation with plasma vitamin C level. Overall results might imply that the decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins result in an increase in oxidative stress and thereby increase cytokine production such as IL-2 and IL-6. However further research is required to elucidate these relationships.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.942-951
• /
• 2015

This study compared nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, and checking behaviors of food and nutrition labels between Korean and Chinese university students to obtain useful data for development of an education program for healthy dietary life. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire in Korea and China. Frequencies, t tests, ${\chi}^2$ tests, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, and Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis were conducted by SPSS Win. V.21.0. The levels of nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviors were not high. Korean students showed higher percentage of correct answers about nutrition knowledge and levels of dietary behaviors than Chinese students. The means of degree of checking contents of food labels were 3.46 points for Korean students and 3.11 for Chinese students. Both groups of students showed the highest degree of checking milk and dairy products. The degree of understanding nutritive component labeling of Chinese students was higher than that of Korean students. Both groups of students showed higher than normal levels of confidence about nutritive component labeling and necessity of education on food and nutrition labels. The most preferred method of education on food and nutrition labels was broadcast media for both groups of students. In addition, there were significant correlations among nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, checking degree of food labels, checking degree of nutritive component labeling, and experience of nutrition education.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.435-450
• /
• 2007

To find out what foods and dishes are being consumed by people with dyslipidemia, we have researched which food groups and dish groups are utilized in order to use for nutrition educations. The data was obtained from participants in 2001 KNHNS using the 24hours recall method. Ages over 30 years old are used for the analysis. Food and dish group intakes are analyzed by gender, age, residence, education, and economic status. Dyslipidemia are divided into A, B and C groups using guideline of dyslipidemia. The differences in food consumption were analyzed and assessed by GMDVF, DDS and DVS. SAS and SPSS were used for the data analysis. Overall, In food group, people in B and C (with dyslipidemia) have higher intake levels of vegetables, while people in A (without dyslipidemia) have higher intake levels of fruits (p < 0.05). In dish group, people in B and C (with dyslipidemia) have higher intake levels of rice dish, soups and kimchi, while people A (without dyslipidemia) have higher intake levels of breads and snacks, salad and fruits (p < 0.05). In the dietary patterns of main food group (GMDVF), the pattern excluding dairy (11011) revealed the highest proportion in all groups. DDS = 4 has the highest proportion in all groups. The proportions of subjects with the low dietary diversity score increased in B and C (with dyslipidemia). Food groups that most people do not consume were dairy and fruits. The level of DVS in A (without dyslipidemia) is higher than in B and C (with dyslipidemia). With these results, it is shown that people with dyslipidemia had worse quality patterns of food intake than those without dyslipidemia. Thus we should emphasize the balanced diet and educate people how to choose foods. So it is necessary to develop food guide for people with dyslipidemia.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.298-302
• /
• 2015

The anti-obesity effects of starter (Leuconostoc mesenteroides+Lactobacillus plantarum) fermented kimchi on 3T3-L1 adipocyte were studied using naturally fermented kimchi (NK), a functional kimchi (FK, NK supplemented with green tea), and FK supplemented with added starters (FKS). Oil red O staining and cellular levels of triglyceride (TG) and glycerol were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-obesity effects of these kimchis in 3T3-L1 cells. The expressions of adipogenesis/lipogenesis-related genes of peroxisome proliferator-active receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$, CCAAT/enhance-binding protein (C/EBP)-${\alpha}$, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were determined by RT-PCR. Kimchis, especially FKS, markedly decreased TG levels and increased levels of intracellular glycerol and lipid lipolysis. In addition, FKS also reduced the mRNA levels of PPAR-${\gamma}$, C/EBP-${\alpha}$, and FAS, which are related to adipogenesis/lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest the anti-obesity effects of FKS were to due to enhanced lipolysis and reduced adipogenesis/lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.264-282
• /
• 2008

The present study assessed the relation of dietary fiber to food habits in Korean adults aged 20 and over, using a newly established dietary fiber, as well as the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. The per capita average dietary fiber intake of Koreans was estimated to be 12.25 ${\pm}$ 5.23 g/1,000 kcal. Calorie-based dietary fiber intakes for females was over the KDRl, but for males it was below the KDRI. The levels of total dietary fiber and energy corresponded with frequent snacking but calorie-based dietary fiber intake did not. The subjects who skipped meals, frequently ate out and consumed fried foods tended to have lower levels of calorie-based dietary fiber although the levels of energy and total dietary fiber corresponded with frequent eating-out and consumption of fried foods. The results of this study suggest that Koreans must make efforts to regularly have three meals a day, reduce the frequency of eating out and consume fewer fried foods in order to maintain the optimum intake levels of dietary fiber that protect against chronic diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.212-220
• /
• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is highly consumed in South Asia. However, curry that contains turmeric as its main spice might be the major source of curcumin in most other countries. Although curcumin consumption is not as high in these countries as South Asia, the regular consumption of curcumin may provide a significant health-beneficial effect. This study evaluated whether the moderate consumption of curry can affect blood glucose and lipid levels that become dysregulated with age. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2012 to 2013, to assess curry consumption frequency as well as blood glucose and blood lipid levels. The levels of blood glucose and lipids were subdivided by age, sex, and body mass index, and compared according to the curry consumption level. The estimates in each subgroup were further adjusted for potential confounding factors, including the diagnosis of diseases, physical activity, and smoking. RESULTS: After adjusting for the above confounding factors, the blood glucose and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the moderate curry consumption group compared to the low curry consumption group, both in older (> 45) male and younger (30 to 44) female overweight individuals who have high blood glucose and triglyceride levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that curcumin consumption, in an ordinary diet, can have health-beneficial effects, including being helpful in maintaining blood glucose and triglyceride levels that become dysregulated with age. The results should be further confirmed in future studies.