Vitamin and trace element status of women with disordered eating

Article Abstract:

Women with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia, typically follow bizarre unbalanced diets, are preoccupied with their body shape, and may induce vomiting. The adverse physiological consequences include abnormal acid-base balance and electrolyte (sodium, potassium and chloride) levels. Some studies have examined nutrient levels in anorexic and bulimic women; two nutrients of particular concern are vitamin B-6 and zinc. Vitamin B-6 plays an essential role in the metabolism of serotonin, a chemical that appears to influence appetite. Vitamin B-6 deficiency may exacerbate the disordered eating patterns of women with anorexia and bulimia. Blood zinc levels may be low in anorexics, and this mineral deficiency could contribute to their loss of taste sensation. These and other nutrients were assessed in approximately 90 women with eating disorders and 23 normal control women; some of the subjects with eating disorders took vitamin or mineral supplements. Both eating disorder subjects who took supplements and those who did not had higher blood vitamin A and E levels than controls. Groups did not differ on blood zinc, copper, or vitamin B-6. These results suggest that patients with eating disorders do not need supplements of zinc, copper, or vitamins A, E or B-6. Supplementation with fat-soluble vitamins such as A and E, which can accumulate in the body reaching toxic levels, could actually be harmful.

Usage, Complications and side effects, Eating disorders, Bulimia, Anorexia nervosa, Dietary supplements, Vitamins

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Plasma glucose and insulin responses to traditional Pima Indian meals

Article Abstract:

The Pima Indians of Arizona have the highest incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) of any ethnic group in the world; 35 percent of the population has this disease by the time they become adults. It appears likely that this group has a genetic predisposition to diabetes, which was not apparent in the times when these people were hunters, gatherers and farmers. Before 1930, the staple foods in the Pima Indian diet were legumes, cacti, fish and seeds. In recent decades, they have adopted the typical Western diet, which is rich in sugar, fat, and processed foods. In this study, six traditional Pima Indian foods were analyzed to determine how they affect blood glucose (sugar) and insulin response. The six foods (corn, lima beans, acorns, mesquite, and white and yellow teparies) were consumed by eight healthy caucasian subjects. Their blood glucose and insulin levels were measured after the individual foods were eaten; the results indicated that the starch in these foods is digested and absorbed slowly. Because of the gradual absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, the traditional diet may have helped to protect the Pima Indians against diabetes. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Demographic aspects, Diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Genetic aspects, Food and nutrition, Type 2 diabetes, Blood sugar, Blood glucose, Food habits, Pimas

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