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Nutritional Quality and Mineral Content of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves Consumed in Guinea Savannah Vegetation Zones of Nigeria
Stanislaus Osuagwu Onyeberechiya
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
34-40
Received:
17 January 2021
Accepted:
25 January 2021
Published:
10 March 2021
Abstract: Green leafy vegetables are good sources of food for they are rich in nutritional quality which plays significant physiological role in human body such as stimulating enzymes, antioxidants, reducing diseases such as diabetes, cardiac infarction, cancer and destroying bacteria including Salmonella species, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of the study is to evaluate the nutritional quality and Mineral Content of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves Consumed in Guinea Savannah Vegetation zones of Nigeria. Three fresh and powdered leaves of Moringa oleifera sample of 60 g each were randomly collected from three locations in Guinea Savannah Vegetation Zones via: Abuja (Gwagwalada market) in Southern Guinea Savannah; Katsina (Daura market) in Northern Guinea Savannah and Sokoto (Central market) in Sudan Guinea Savannah of Nigeria, and were analyzed for their nutritional quality and mineral content using standard analytical procedures. Each sample was determined in triplicates and data analyzed with SPSS version 16. The results revealed that Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves from various locations, are highly rich in macro and micro nutrients. The parameters varied in both locations, fresh and dried samples. The proximate composition results of Moringa oleifera Lam, leaves from various locations contain many nutritionally chemical compounds including Protein, Lipids, carbohydrate/sugars and fibers which are excellent functional food source for human and animal feedstock. Mineral element results revealed Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves from the guinea savannah of Nigeria, are rich in minerals and could be utilized as a cheap source of mineral supplements in human and animal diets. Potassium content (351.9±1.3 mg to 367.0±1.4 mg dwb) compared to Sodium values (25.9±0.4 - 29.9.9±0.5mg, dwb) in the study, leads to a very low Na/K ratio which is a favorable diet nutritionally, that is associated with lower incidence of hypertension. Calcium (586.0±6.6 mg, dwb), is the most abundant mineral element recorded by Abuja sample, East of Gwagwalada market, while Zinc (1.9±1.3 mg, dwb), obtained by Sokoto sample, North of Central market, is the least mineral element in the study. In conclusion, the nutritional quality and mineral contents of Moringa oleifeara Lam. leaves in the studied areas varied in locations, fresh and dried samples and contain an appreciable amount of macro and micro nutrients which are excellent functional food source for human and animal feedstock and can be explored for export as an international commodity.
Abstract: Green leafy vegetables are good sources of food for they are rich in nutritional quality which plays significant physiological role in human body such as stimulating enzymes, antioxidants, reducing diseases such as diabetes, cardiac infarction, cancer and destroying bacteria including Salmonella species, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. ...
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Beneficial Effects of Oral Administration of a Nutritional Supplement in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients
Ferorelli Pasquale,
Antonelli Francesco,
Shevchenko Anna,
Doepp Manfred,
Lenzi Stefano,
Beninati Simone
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
41-47
Received:
22 February 2021
Accepted:
9 March 2021
Published:
17 March 2021
Abstract: As the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic rages, there is an urgent need to identify clinical and laboratory predictors for progression to severe and fatal forms of this disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential ability of a nutritional supplement to normalize certain hematological, biochemical and immunological biomarkers in patients with and without symptoms of COVID-19. Micronutrients, such as nutritionally essential vitamins and minerals, influence and support every step of the immune response. This investigation was performed by administering a dietary supplement rich in calciferol (vitamin D3), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid (vitamin B9) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) to the enrolled patients for 120 days. All essential elements for a complete physiological enzymatic process. The reported results appear promising from the point of view of the experimental approach adopted. In particular, the scheduled administration of the nutritional supplement rich in micronutrients to asymptomatic and mild to moderate COVID-19 patients has led, in general, to the normalization of the values of some critical biochemical and immunological parameters found to be altered. This nutritional approach, although it does not resolve the disease and therefore does not represent a cure, can improve the quality of life of COVID-19 patients.
Abstract: As the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic rages, there is an urgent need to identify clinical and laboratory predictors for progression to severe and fatal forms of this disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential ability of a nutritional supplement to normalize certain hematological, biochemical and immunological biomarker...
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Knowledge, Reading Practice and Associated Factors of Nutrition Labeling on Packaged Food Among Consumers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Esayas Feyisa,
Robert Wondimu,
Zalalem Kaba
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
48-56
Received:
20 March 2021
Accepted:
1 April 2021
Published:
23 April 2021
Abstract: Nutrition labeling is a valuable tool in learning how to apply nutrition information and help to food choices. Consumption of processed and packaged food is common in low and middle income countries like Ethiopia. But, the level of knowledge and reading practice of nutrition labeling among supermarket shoppers is not known in the study area. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, reading practice and factors associated to nutrition label on packaged food among consumers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 398 respondents were interviewed. The source population for this study was all Addis Ababa consumers who purchase packaged food from supermarkets. The data was entered into EPI data version 3.1, and then exported to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 for data management and analysis. Variable with p value <0.25 during the bivariate logistic regression analysis was entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis. All the 398 participants were responded to the interview (100% response rate). From the total respondents, 203 (51%) were males, 213 (53.5%) were first degree holders, 137 (34.4%) had own business. The mean average monthly income of the head of the house hold was 5,731 (±2,230) Ethiopian birr, greater than half of respondents was less than 5,131 Ethiopian birr earners, 211 (53%) Mean age was 36.41 (±10.7) years, 209 (47.5%) had good knowledge on nutrition labels whereas 178 (44.7%) had good reading practice of nutrition label on packed food. Sex, monthly income, occupation, family size, level of education, partner level education and health status of individual were the factors associated to knowledge on food labeling information. According to this study knowledge and reading practice of nutrition label is low, therefore government should formulate action plans to create awareness on nutrition labeling among the packaged food consumers. The knowledge level and reading practice of nutrition labeling were increased with age, education level and family income.
Abstract: Nutrition labeling is a valuable tool in learning how to apply nutrition information and help to food choices. Consumption of processed and packaged food is common in low and middle income countries like Ethiopia. But, the level of knowledge and reading practice of nutrition labeling among supermarket shoppers is not known in the study area. The ob...
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Macronutrient Values of Local Meals of Some Cameroonian Traditional Communities Living in Yaounde
Nyangono Biyegue Christine Fernande,
Ntentie Raissa,
Bouelet Ntsama Isabelle Sandrine,
Magne Naoussi Diana,
Ngobe Ewanke Elisabeth Martine,
Nga Mang Glwadys Nadege,
Guimatio Teugou Michele,
Salamatou,
Dang A Bep Eunice,
Ngondi Judith Laure
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
57-63
Received:
12 October 2020
Accepted:
21 November 2020
Published:
14 May 2021
Abstract: Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the macronutrient values of some traditional meals consumed by some communities living in Yaounde. Methods: The study was carried out among six traditional communities living in Yaounde (Cameroon) (Mbo, Bamougoum, Eton, Bafia, Haussa and Dschang). This study was carried out in two different stages: a food survey and a food composition analysis. In the first stage: the food questionnaire was administered to 30 natives of each community to investigate local meals more and rarely consumed. After a data analysis of these questionnaires, the most consumed meals were selected for food composition analysis. A total of 41 most consumed meals were selected and prepared (Bafia community (06), Haussa community (09), Dschang community (06), Eton community (06), Mbo community (07) and Bamougoum community (07)). A portion of 100g of each was used to evaluate food composition (moisture, ash, water, proteins and lipids). Results: The results of this study show that the highest meals from Bamougoum, Dschang, Eton and Bafia communities presented the highest level of ash. The protein contents were acceptable for most dishes and were significantly (p<0.05) higher for meals from the Bafia community. Some exhibited high lipid contents with more than 70g/100gdw.Conclusion: The results of this study are essential for determining diet-disease associations and could also be extremely useful for nutrition education and dietary interventions, and are necessary for the successful dietary management of metabolic syndrome and his comorbidities in Cameroon.
Abstract: Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the macronutrient values of some traditional meals consumed by some communities living in Yaounde. Methods: The study was carried out among six traditional communities living in Yaounde (Cameroon) (Mbo, Bamougoum, Eton, Bafia, Haussa and Dschang). This study was carried out in two different st...
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