Denis Barclay

• PhD
• Consultant at Freelance

Background: Defined prebiotics were shown to improve calcium balance and diminish bone loss. However, the effect of their combination with probiotics on gut ecology and bone metabolism has not yet been studied. We investigated whether the combination of a probiotic with a defined microbial strain results in improved bone mineralization, and whether...

Combinations of foods that provide suitable levels of nutrients and energy are required for optimum health. Currently, however, it is difficult to define numerically what are 'suitable levels'. To develop new metrics based on energy considerations-the Nutrient Balance Concept (NBC)-for assessing overall nutrition quality when combining foods and me...

Malnutrition · Micronutrient malnutrition · Overweight/obesity · Medical foods · Functional foods · Food industry Key Messages • The food industry is facing important challenges as it endeavors to help address over-and undernutri-tion against a background of major demographic trends of population ageing and rural-to-urban migration. • To help preve...

Probiotics and long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) may be beneficial supplements for infants who are not breast-fed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the safety of an infant formula containing the LC-PUFA DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) and the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis by comparing the growth rate of infants fed the supplemented and unsupple...

Gastric emptying (GE) is influenced by the type of nutrition. The objective of this study was to compare GE in infants fed an intact protein formula (IPF), a partially hydrolysed formula (PHF), and an extensively hydrolysed formula (EHF). This was a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study. Following a fasting period of > or = 3 h, 20 healthy new...

To compare the effects of a whey-predominant infant formula and breast milk on the gut microbiota, growth, and tolerance of infants, we conducted an open, prospective, parallel-group study in healthy newborn infants. A total of 60 infants were enrolled, and 55 completed the study. Of the 55 infants, 21 were breast-fed and 34 were fed a whey-predomi...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a milk product containing probiotics and prebiotics (CUPDAY Milk) on the incidence of diarrhoea in children attending daycare centres. The study was undertaken in a randomized controlled trial with 496 children aged 1-3 years attending 29 childcare centres in Perth, Australia. The endpoint for th...

We compared growth of infants whose mothers either did or did not receive docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements during pregnancy and lactation. At 21 weeks' gestation, 144 women were enrolled into a randomized, double-blind clinical trial receiving: (1) a basic supplement consisting of vitamins and minerals (BS), or (2) BS plus 4.5 g fructooligosa...

In the present study, we investigated the effect of an association of micronutrients (zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and vitamin E (vit E)) on insulin activity and antioxidant status in an animal model of insulin resistance, the high-fructose-fed rat. Five experimental groups were compared: a control group (C) receiving a standard diet, a high-fructose-f...

This study explored whether the increased extracellular relative to intracellular fluid (ECF/ICF) ratio in obesity might reflect osmotic effects of elevated plasma solute concentrations. Cross-sectional, epidemiological survey. The present analysis used nationally representative data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey o...

Phytic acid, a potent inhibitor of mineral and trace element absorption, occurs in all cereal grains and legume seeds. The possibility to increase phytase activity and/or reduce the phytic acid content by soaking and germination was investigated in a wide range of grains and seeds, but not found to be effective. Germination, but not soaking, increa...

Fortification of infant formulae with selenium (Se) is currently under consideration by manufacturers and regulatory bodies. However, information on the endogenous Se levels of infant formulae is largely lacking. The objective of this study was to describe the seasonal-, geographic- and formula-specific variations in endogenous Se levels of infant...

High water consumption has been proposed as an aid to weight control and as a means of reducing the energy density of the diet. This study examines the relationship between water consumption and other drinking and eating patterns. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2001, with responses from 4755 individuals > or =18 years...

Bovine milk protein fractions that enable modification of the protein composition and amino acid profile of infant formulas to mimic those of human milk have recently become available. To determine the effects on protein quality and mineral bioavailability of replacing casein by beta-casein and of whey protein isolate by alpha-lactalbumin, 4 groups...

To evaluate the effects of nutrient intake and vitamin D status on markers of type I collagen formation and degradation in adolescent boys and girls. Cross-sectional study. Canton of Vaud, West Switzerland. A total of 92 boys and 104 girls, aged 11-16 y. Data were collected on height, weight, pubertal status (self-assessment of Tanner stage), nutri...

Stable isotope tracers are safe and nutritionally relevant tools for the investigation of mineral metabolism in man. Increased research into the functional role of selenium has resulted in a need for well-characterised, isotopically enriched solutions of the element in order to determine the nutritional relevance of selenium fortification of foods....

Infant formulas based on soyabean protein isolate are often used as an alternative to cows'-based formulas. However, the presence of phytic acid in soya formulas has raised concern about the absorption of trace elements and minerals from these products. The aim of the present study was to evaluate mineral and trace element absorption from regular a...

Dietary strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis focus on increased intake of calcium and vitamin D. Modification of whole dietary patterns and sodium reduction may also be effective. We examined the effects of two dietary patterns and three sodium levels on bone and calcium metabolism in a randomized feeding study. A total of 186 adults, aged...

Complementary foods based on cereals and legumes often contain high amounts of phytic acid, a potent inhibitor of mineral and trace element absorption. The possibility to degrade phytic acid during the production of complementary foods by using whole grain cereals as the phytase source was investigated. Whole grain rye, wheat, or buckwheat (10%) we...

Vitamin, mineral and trace element intakes were assessed in a rural African population using a novel dietary survey method, and compared with status measurements. In addition to the previously described protein deficiency, multiple micronutrient deficiencies were observed. Although vitamin A intakes were generally satisfactory, some low plasma reti...

In order to understand the absorption and utilization of calcium, iron and zinc in cow milk, soy milk powder and dephytinized soy milk powder in the children and adolescents, and to lay a foundation for the improvement of protein and mineral nutrition in Chinese residents with popularizing consumption of soy milk powder. Totally, 57 boys aged 12 to...

In order to understand the effect of long term consumption of mineral-fortified dephytinized soy milk powder on skeletal health in children, biological effects of mineral-fortified dephytinized soy milk powder, dephytinized mineral-unfortified soy milk powder and fresh mineral-fortified cow milk were compared. Totally, 90 boys aged 12 to 14 years w...

Magnesium intakes in many industrialized countries are below recommended daily allowances. Magnesium-rich mineral water may contribute to coverage of magnesium requirements by providing significant amounts of natural, energy-free, bioavailable magnesium. The objectives were to determine magnesium bioavailability from magnesium-rich (110 mg/L) miner...

The inorganic selenium compounds selenite and selenate are used for selenium fortification of infant formulas. However, information on absorption and retention of selenium from these compounds is lacking. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine apparent absorption and retention of selenium from selenate and selenite added to a milk-bas...

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that infection with influenza A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2), a relatively mild strain of the virus, caused much more severe pneumonitis in selenium (Se)-deficient mice than in Se-adequate mice. Here we report that the increased virulence observed in the Se-deficient mice is due to mutations in the influenz...

Selenium (Se) deficiency has previously been shown to induce myocarditis in mice infected with a benign strain of coxsackievirus. To determine if Se deficiency would also intensify an infection with influenza virus, Se-deficient and Se-adequate mice were infected with a mild strain of influenza, influenza A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2). Infected Se-deficien...

The present study was designed to determine the apparent absorption and retention of the inorganic Se compounds SeO3(2-) and SeO4(2-), which are commonly used for Se fortification of clinical nutrition products and infant formulas. Ten healthy men were fed a milk-based formula labelled with 40 microg Se as 74SeO3(2-) or 76SeO4(2-) on two consecutiv...

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that infection with influenza A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2), a relatively mild strain of the virus, caused much more severe pneumonitis in selenium (Se)-deficient mice than in Se-adequate mice. Here we report that the increased virulence observed in the Se-deficient mice is due to mutations in the influenz...

Infant cereals are commonly fortified with insoluble iron compounds with low relative bioavailability, such as ferric pyrophosphate, because of organoleptic changes that occur after addition of water-soluble iron sources. Our objective was to compare iron bioavailability from ferric pyrophosphate with an alternative iron source that is soluble in d...

A gas chromatography mass spectrometric method using negative chemical ionisation was developed for the determination of stable isotopes of selenium for evaluation of selenium absorption and retention from foods in humans. The method involves an acid digestion to convert all selenium into selenite, which subsequently reacts with 4-nitro-o-phenylene...

Diet-related micronutrient deficiencies rarely occur in isolation; deficiencies of iodine and vitamin A or of iron and vitamin A or zinc are often observed in the same populations. In addition, widespread deficiencies of some micronutrients, for example, zinc and calcium, may often go undiagnosed because of the absence of specific and sensitive sta...

Assess longitudinal changes in dietary habits and attitudes of elderly Europeans in relation to selected socio-economic factors. Longitudinal survey with a baseline measurement in 1988/1989 and a follow-up measurement in 1993, using a standardized questionnaire. Elderly men and women born between 1913 and 1918. The second SENECA survey in 1993 asse...

The nutritional status of 111 elderly men and women aged 60 to 99 years in two institutions in the Ecuadorian Andes was evaluated using dietary, anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Mean daily energy intakes of men and women were 1720 and 1650 kcal, respectively (7.2 and 6.9 MJ), corresponding to 1.5 times the calculated basal metabolic rat...

Serum and human milk antimicrobial antibody titers were measured longitudinally in 17 malnourished and 14 control Zairian women during 6 to 18 months of lactation to test whether malnutrition is specifically associated with an impaired secretory antibody response. No decreases in total serum and human milk immunoglobulin concentrations, neutralizin...

Some mineral waters have a high calcium content and may contribute a significant part of the human daily requirements. Calcium bioavailability from a calcium- and sulfate-rich mineral water (CS-W) containing 11.2 mmol Ca/L (467 mg/L) was compared with that from milk in nine healthy young women. Calcium absorption was measured in the fasting state w...

In a 12-month community study in Ecuadorian preschool children, we compared a packaged rice-based oral rehydration solution (R-ORS) that contained 160 g of rice flour and 12 g of sucrose per liter as well as electrolytes and alpha-amylase, and required cooking before consumption, to the standard glucose-electrolyte oral rehydration solution (G-ORS)...

In a 12‐month community study in Ecuadorian preschool children, we compared a packaged rice‐based oral rehydration solution (R‐ORS) that contained 160 g of rice flour and 12 g of sucrose per liter as well as electrolytes and α‐amylase, and required cooking before consumption, to the standard glucose‐electrolyte oral rehydration solution (G‐ORS) for...

To propose a correction for the hemoglobin (Hb) increase induced by altitude-associated hypoxia. Part of a national study of nutrition and health of preschool children (0-59 months), based on a stratified, probabilistic, cluster sample. Coastal and Andean regions of Ecuador, comprising about 97% of the population, living at altitudes ranging from s...

The National Nutrition and Health Survey, implemented in 1986 in Ecuador, investigated nutritional status, food intake, morbidity and mortality of 0–5 year-old children in the country (Freire et al., 1988). High prevalences of malnutrition, as assessed by anthropometry, were found: prevalences of linear growth retardation ranged between 37% in the...

Risk factors associated with diarrhoea, based on the recall of a recent episode were evaluated from a cross-sectional national nutrition and health study in 1,620 Ecuadorian children less than 5 years old. Prevalence of diarrhoea varied with the age of the children; 6- to 23-months-old children showed the highest prevalence. In this age range the p...

A modified dietary survey method by weighing was employed to evaluate nutrient intakes in a poor rural community of Western Zaïre. Energy intakes of children (4–11 years), equivalent to 1.1 times basal metabolic rate (BMR) were inadequate for normal growth and activity. Intakes of adolescents (11–18y) were marginal (1.5 BMR). Adult women and men ha...

The breast-milk calcium and phosphorus concentrations of 12 mothers living in a poor, rural area of Zaïre have been measured serially over 18 months of lactation. Calcium concentrations remained steady for the first 3-4 months and then decreased by approximately 27%. Phosphorus concentrations decreased by an average of 16% during the first 6 months...

This chapter describes data on dietary behaviour collected from 2586 elderly persons, born between 1913 and 1918 and living in 19 towns from 12 European countries, who participated in the Euronut SENECA Study on Nutrition of the Elderly in Europe. Groups of elderly subjects with particular dietary habits were identified. They included those persons...

This chapter describes data on dietary behaviour collected from 2 586 elderly persons, born between 1913 and 1918 and living in 19 towns from 12 European countries, who participated in the Euronut SENECA Study on Nutrition of the Elderly in Europe. Groups of elderly subjects with particular dietary habits were identified. They included those person...

Serum samples from 1397 Ecuadorian children 0–5 years of age were tested by ELISA for antibodies to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). A gradual prevalence and titer increase was seen for IgG antibodies to heat-labile enterotoxin in children 6–18 months old; 90% prevalences were reached in the second year of life. At this age <10% of West Ger...

The age-specific prevalence of antibody to rotavirus was studied in 1404 Ecuadorian children enrolled in a national nutrition and health survey. ELISA and neutralizing antibody analysis showed evidence for primary rotavirus infection in 6- to 12-month-old children, who showed also a more-than-threefold increase in significant diarrheal episodes in...

Twenty-nine amino acids were analyzed in the sera of 105 adult Senegambian goitrous patients classified as stages I, II, and III according to World Health Organization recommendations. Mean serum concentration of all essential amino acids revealed highly significant drops (p less than 0.001) as goiter stage increased, except for methionine (Met). M...

The biological availability to the weanling rat of two amino acid-enriched plasteins, tryptophan and methionine plastein, was tested. In both experiments rats were fed diets containing graded levels of the amino acid either in the free form or as the amino acid-enriched plastein. The first experiment tested the utilization of tryptophan plastein. T...

The effect of a carbohydrate or a 20% protein (HP) or a carbohydrate + 0.4% tryptophan (TRP) evening meal on plasma amino acids and on plasma neutral amino acid (NAA) ratios was studied in eight healthy men. After consumption of the protein meal, plasma amino acids rose after 1 h and remained at the same level at 2 h. The dietary profile of the ess...

The effect of a carbohydrate or a 20% protein (HP) or a carbohydrate + 0.4% tryptophan (TRP) evening meal on plasma amino acids and on plasma neutral amino acid (NAA) ratios was studied in eight healthy men. After consumption of the protein meal, plasma amino acids rose after I h and remained at the same level at 2 h. The dietary profile of the ess...

Mechanisms of sintering have been deduced via measurements of the room temperature resistivities and thermo-emf's of galena powders and concentrates previously hot-pressed, both with and without added lead or sulphur. The results show that material transport during pressure sintering of galena is by atomic diffusion predominantly, being surface and...

The decrease in room temperature resistivity produced by hot pressing powdered galena can be related to the degree and mechanism of sintering of the particles. Additions of sulphur or lead alter the semi-conducting properties of the compacts by changing the surface stoichiometry of the particles by grain boundary diffusion, or the bulk stoichiometr...

Resumen Las deficiencias de micronutrientes relacionadas con la dieta ocurren raramente de forma aislada; las deficiencias de yodo y vitamina A o de hierro y vitamina A o zinc se observan a menudo en las mismas poblaciones. Además, la deficiencia generalizada de algunos micronutrientes, por ejemplo, zinc y calcio, a menudo no son diagnosticadas deb...