McManus, K., L. Antinoro, F. Sacks, 2001. A randomized controlled trial of a moderate fat, low energy diet compared with a low fat, low energy diet for weight loss in overweight adults. Int J Obesity.25:1503-11.
CONTEXT: Long-term success in weight loss with dietary treatment has been elusive. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a diet moderate in fat based on the Mediterranean diet compared to a standard low-fat diet for weight loss when both were controlled for energy. DESIGN: A randomized, prospective 18 month trial in a free-living population. PATIENTS: A total of 101 overweight men and women (26.5 – 46 kg/m2). INTERVENTION: (1) Moderate-fat diet (35% of energy); (2) low-fat diet (20% of energy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Change in body weight. RESULTS: After 18 months, 31/50 subjects in the moderate-fat group, and 30/51 in the low fat group were available for measurements. In the moderate-fat group, there were mean decreases in body weight of 4.1 kg, body mass index of 1.6 kg/m2, and waist circumference of 6.9 cm, compared to increases in the low-fat group of 2.9 kg, 1.4 kg/m2 and 2.6 cm, respectively; P ≤ 0.001 between the groups. The difference in weight change between the groups was 7.0 kg. (95% CI 5.3, 8.7). Only 20% (10/51) of those in the low-fat group were actively participating in the weight loss program after 18 months compared to 54% (27/50) in the moderate-fat group, (P <0.002). The moderate-fat diet group was continued for an additional year. The mean weight loss after 30 months compared to baseline was 3.5 kg (n=19, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A moderate-fat, Mediterranean-style diet, controlled in energy, offers an alternative to a low-fat diet with superior long-term participation and adherence, with consequent improvements in weight loss.
Lin, B.H., E. Frazao, J. Allhouse, 2001. U.S. consumption patterns of tree nuts. Food Review 24(2):54-8.
Americans are more than a little nutty when it comes to their diets. Recent USDA food consumption data show that about 1 in every 10 consumers eats tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, and others) on any given day, and the amount eaten is fairly small. On average, slightly more than 1 gram of tree nuts are eaten per person per day. Tree nut consumption is higher among wealthier consumers and Whites in the United States. More adults age 40 and above eat tree nuts than younger consumers. A smaller proportion of consumers living in the South and in rural areas consume tree nuts than other consumers.
Sathe, S.K., K.W.C. Sze-Tao, W.J. Wolf , B.R. Hamaker, 1997. Biochemical Characterization and in Vitro Digestibility of the Major Globulin in Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale). J. Agric. Food Chem. 45(8): 2854–2860.
The major globulin (anacardein) in cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) is a 13S globulin. The globulin is not a glycoprotein and is composed of at least two major types of polypeptides with estimated molecular weights in the range 18000−24000 and 30000−37000. The globulin has A1%280nm of 9.88, 10.56, 9.68, and 9.59 in distilled water, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.5, and 0.02 M Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.1, respectively. The Stokes radius of the globulin was 57 ± 3.2 Å (n = 17). The isoelectric pH (pI) of the globulin was in the pH range 6.2−7.2. Hydrophobic, uncharged polar, acidic, and basic amino acids respectively accounted for 36.4, 19.88, 25.3, and 18.4% of the total amino acids. Sulfur amino acids and threonine were respectively the first and second limiting amino acids in the purified globulin. Among the proteinases tested, pepsin was the most efficient in hydrolyzing the globulin in vitro
Fraser, G.E., 1994. Diet and coronary heart disease: beyond dietary fats and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr. 59(suppl):1117S-23S.
Traditionally, the effects of diet on coronary heart disease have been attributed to the effects of medium-chain fatty acids, soluble fiber, and dietary cholesterol on serum low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. We review evidence here that many other dietary substances may affect risk, often via mechanisms not involving LDL-cholesterol concentrations directly. Such substances include phytosterols, tocotrienols, arginine, and antioxidant vitamins. The effects of diet on high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations, triglycerides (fasting and postprandial), oxidized LDL particles, prostaglandins, and endothelium-derived relaxing factor are described. Finally, an illustration of some epidemiologic associations between diet and coronary disease events is made from the Adventist Health Study data.
