Biotechnology strategies are now available to improve the amount and availability of nutrients in plant crops. Those strategies include simple plant selection for varieties with high nutrient density in the seeds, cross-breeding for incorporating a ...

A well established stable isotope technique exists for measuring calcium absorption from single foods and meals, but the long term effects of calcium on bone health cannot be assessed from acute bioavailability studies. Bone health depends primarily on ...

In the developing countries of Africa, many children are at high risk for both goiter and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). Because iron (Fe) deficiency can have adverse effects on thyroid metabolism, Fe deficiency may influence response to supplemental ...

Epidemiological studies suggest that brassica vegetables are protective against cancers of the lungs and alimentary tract. Cruciferous vegetables are the dietary source of glucosinolates, a large group of sulfur-containing glucosides. These compounds ...

Blood cholesterol levels are affected by diet and in particular by the type and amount of fat intake. In recent years, vegetable oil spreads containing plant sterols/stanols (as their fatty acid esters) have been developed. Numerous clinical trials on ...

Vitamin A (retinol) is a necessary nutrient for vision, reproduction, growth, and immune function. Pro-vitamin A carotenoids are an important source, especially in developing countries. While preformed vitamin A is readily available from foods, ...

The vitamin folate has been largely responsible for a fundamental shift in our perception of the role of vitamins in maintaining health. Ten years ago, two independent clinical trials showed that supplementing a woman’s diet with folic acid before and ...

In this review the effects of lifestyle factors, especially alcohol consumption, on vitamin bioavailability are summarized and discussed. Alcohol effects are clearly dose-dependent. Excessive chronic alcohol intake is generally associated with vitamin ...