Nutrition & Food Science: Volume 97 Issue 6

MAFF research programme on optimal nutrition status

Margaret Ashwell

Briefly outlines the main objectives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) research programme on optimal nutrition status. Summarizes the project portfolio and…

Iron ‐ getting the balance right

Susan J. Fairweather‐Tait, Ian T. Johnson, S. Gabrielle Wharf, Elizabeth K. Lund

Discusses the problems associated with an inadequate dietary supply of iron in relation to the prevention of anaemia. Describes results of recent work examining the free radical…

Approaches to defining the optimal dietary folate intake for cardiovascular health

Ian F.W. McDowell, Pauline Ashfield‐Watt

Looks at the role of dietary folate for cardiovascular health. Considers the hypothesis that a diet poor in folate may lead to accelerated vascular disease. Also looks at the role…

Folate and risk of cardiovascular disease

Hilary J. Powers

Looks at the relationship between folate intake, elevated plasma total homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Notes that the mechanisms between plasma homocysteine levels and…

The analyst’s viewpoint with special reference to selenium

H.M. Crews, D.J. Lewis, S.J. Fairweather‐Tait, T. Fox, J.R. Arthur, K.M. Brown

Considers selenium and various aspects of its analysis. Looks at various factors relating to its measurement and underlines the need for elements such as sound experimental design…

Dietary selenium: why do we need it and how much is enough?

J.R. Arthur, K.M. Brown, S.J. Fairweather‐Tait, H.M. Crews

Considers the role of selenium as an essential nutrient. Identifies its key function as being an essential component of a wider range of proteins. Looks at some of the problems…

Assessing copper status ‐ a review

E. Turley, A. McKeown, L. Harvey, S.J. Fairweather‐Tait, H.M. Crews, J.J. Strain

Notes that, despite its abundance as an essential trace element in the body, relatively little is known about dietary copper requirements. Looks at factors such as copper…

The relationship of dietary calcium, vitamin K and other nutrients to conservation of femoral bone density in the young elderly: the EPIC/EPOS cohort study

Jonathan Reeve, Sheila Bingham, Kay‐Tee Khaw

Considers factors relating to bone loss. Looks at the scientific background with regard to calcium and its effects with regard to bone loss. Reports on the aims of a study in this…

Vitamin C: new approaches to bioavailability and turnover

C.J. Bates

Notes difficulties related to devising specific functional tests of vitamin C status. Looks at approaches used in the study of the mechanisms of vitamin C absorption and their…

Vitamin E: its time has nearly come

Frank J. Kelly

Notes that ranges of intake for vitamin E have been established by the USA, Germany and the WHO but not yet by the UK. Evidence continues to mount regarding the role of reactive…

Dietary reference values for vitamin K: where are we now?

Caroline Bolton‐Smith, Martin J. Shearer

Notes that vitamin K has long been known to be required for blood clotting, and more recent evidence suggests a role in bone mineralization, atherosclerosis, and apoptosis…

Dietary carotenoids

Richard Faulks, Sue Southon

Notes that of 600 carotenoids found in nature, only 40 are regularly consumed by humans. Looks at the biological functions of carotenoids. Reports on studies with regard to the…