Nutrition and Health

The time-course of accumulation of dietary organic and inorganic selenium (Se; 1.5 mg Se kg⁻¹ dry weight feed) was examined for muscle and hepatic tissues of hybrid striped bass (HSB) over 6 weeks. Animals, which had been fed a Se deficient diet for 2 months prior to study, were maintained in a recirculating life support system at 28 ± 1°C. PIT tagged fish were randomly assigned to one of 24 120 L aquaria (n = 5 per tank) and subsequently fed one of four diets: a fishmeal-based diet (control), soybean-casein-based feeds either supplemented with organic (SelPlex®) or inorganic (sodium selenite) Se or as a basal diet, purposefully deficient in Se. Fish were fed twice daily on a 4% body weight basis. Samples taken at trial start (week 0), mid-way (3 weeks) and at trial end (6 weeks) included weight and length data, hepatosomatic (HSI) and visceral (VSI) indices, intraperitoneal fat (IPF) and muscle (MR) and feed conversion (FCR) ratios, serum protein (SP), hematocrit (PCV), and serum glutathione peroxidase (GP_x) activity and muscle and heaptic Se concentrations. Survival was also monitored throughout the study.

Muscle and hepatic Se levels increased in fishmeal and Se supplemented diets throughout the study. At trail end, greatest weight gain (P < 0.05) was observed in fish fed the control, fishmeal-based diet. Comparison of tissue Se levels indicated that the liver accumulated this mineral at greater concentrations than the muscle with highest levels being observed in the inorganic Se fed fish (P < 0.05). Se accumulation in control and inorganic Se fed fish was similar, whilst Se in the liver of fish fed the Se deficient diet was lowest among groups (P < 0.05). Muscle Se accumulation was found to be greatest in organic Se containing diets (P < 0.05), whereas the basal, Se deficient diet group, returned lowest levels (P < 0.05). Plasma GP_x activity was similar in HSB fed the fishmeal and organic Se diets. The fishmeal fed group expressed higher (P < 0.05) GP_x levels than that recorded for either the inorganic or basal diets. At trial end, no differences were recorded between groups for PCV or HSI, VSI or IPF. SP levels and MR were higher (P < 0.05) in fishmeal control fed fish. FCRs were lowest in fishmeal fed fish and highest for the Se deficient or basal diet. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of producing cultured fish with heightened levels of Se using simple dietary manipulations for 4–6 weeks or less before harvesting.

Fats in fish and marine animals are rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids (FA with 5 or more double bonds) of the Omega 3 series. These FA, present in aquatic animals as an adaptation to the environmental conditions, reached the human diet through the food chain, with a significant impact on nutrition, life style and cultural conditions. Studies in the 70's showed that high fish consumption is associated with better cardiovascular health and this observation was subsequently confirmed in many studies (epidemiological, cohort, case-control). The evidence is stronger for secondary prevention and when the intakes of fish or omega 3 FA are assessed, rather than just estimated. The major effects are reduction of cardiac, especially sudden, death. Underlying mechanisms concern the antiarrhythmic activities, reduction of thrombotic and inflammatory processes and of serum triacylglycerol levels. In conclusion consumption of fish and its components should be promoted on a global scale especially in the case of subjects with cardiovascular problems. Although still some issues need to be faced especially in large scale interventions (Le. the assessment of the omega 3 fatty acid status, correlations between levels and cardiovascular indexes and bioavailability of different forms of administration), these recommendations are highly valuable.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute a severe public health problem in Sudan. IDD affects children and women throughout life. More than 2 out of 10 school age children have goiter. The prevalence reaches 40% in some regions of the country. Several interventional measures were introduced to control the IDD problem. While the situation with regard to production and supply of iodized salt was thus deteriorating, an Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Assessment Survey (EFSNA) revealed that the prevalence of IDD among adult women, as reflected in the presence of visible goiter, was as high as 25.5%.

We have conducted a situation analysis survey in the Republic of Sudan to review the prevailing situation and suggest a benchmark that would help in developing effective control measures and in monitoring their implementations. SWOT analysis, questionnaire, focus groups discussion beside a combination of rapid assessment approach and qualitative method were used to critically evaluate the salt iodization situation in the country and assess the prevailing IDD situation in and propose a plan of action to overcome the bottlenecks.

The survey concluded that Iodine deficiency affects children and women all through Sudan. The prevalence is even greater in some regions of the country and there is no supportive policy environment for successful universal salt iodization.

To overcome this aggravated situation Sudan will need to conduct a baseline study to provide data on the prevalence of IDD, geographic distribution, knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to iodine deficiency. This will provide a benchmark that will help in developing effective control measures and in monitoring their implementation. The study recommended a set of actions to the government to overcome the prevailing situation and strengthening the current policy and implementation.

Epidemiologic research has demonstrated that fish is an important component of human nutrition. Existing information for the public about the benefits vs dangers of fish consumption is often contradictory and unclear. Education in the field of human nutrition, especially in the area of fish consumption could be markedly enhanced if there were better mechanisms for the development of customized high quality, low cost educational lectures

Researchers from the Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with the members of the Global Health Network Supercourse project are developing a library of lectures on nutrition, environmental health, and fisheries, for the use and share among the scientists of the world. With the growing demand for environmental health/nutrition awareness, there is an escalating demand for easily accessible and inexpensive teaching materials on nutritional information, including fish and fisheries.

The Supercourse has a network of 45,000 faculty members from 171 countries who have contributed more than 3400 public health lectures, providing forum for sharing the latest research developments in the areas of nutrition. This article outlines the importance of creating easily accessible educational modules on the issues of nutrition, environmental health challenges, and fisheries.

Hypertriglyceridemia, regarded as one of the independent clinical markers of metabolic syndrome, is a frequently observed disorder that has been shown to be common in the Arab region. Epidemiologic and clinical trials demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD); one of the mechanisms by which this effect is achieved is through reducing plasma triglyceride levels. There is strong scientific evidence from human trials that omega-3 fatty acids from either fish or fish oil supplements significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels and these benefits appear to be dose-dependent. The active ingredients of fish oils include the long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA. The ideal amount of omega-3 fatty acid that should be incorporated into the diet without provoking detrimental effects on other lipid components such as decreasing HDL-C and/or increasing LDL-C has not yet been elucidated.

Presently, a prescription form of omega-3 fatty acid has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) as an adjunct to the diet for the treatment of very high triglyceride levels (~ 500 mg/dl) in adults. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia have been shown to respond well to the use of omega-3 fatty acids even when used in conjunction with statins where greater improvements in the lipid profile were found as compared to treatment with statins alone. A determinant of the responsiveness to fish oil could be attributed to the ApoE genotype of individuals.

In order to generate healthy brains, the earlier in life that children develop a healthy lifestyle the better. At home and at school, with a good diet and physical activity, children need to experience and to understand the value of healthy metabolism. Continuous education is needed in lifecycle health, with awareness that the most vulnerable phase relates to reproduction. This is the way that most people can become parents of healthy children. Nutrient deficits, toxins, or uro-genital disease, often unnoticed, affect quality of sperm or ovum, and subsequent development. Early errors can have the most pronounced effect. Gene-switches are being set early in life. Any early flaw can be magnified by growth. Moreover children's habits become set and young couples are too busy to learn and adapt. Many are liable to unintended pregnancy. Adoption of a healthy lifestyle at a young age is the most reliable route to producing healthy babies.

The mother's state throughout pregnancy, emotions/hormones included, naturally continues to powerfully affect her child's development, therefore future physical and mental health, behaviour and ability. There has recently been a serious increase in babies conceived by schoolchildren, as well as a shift by working women towards childbearing in their late thirties or more. A return towards childbearing in the twenties and early thirties can reduce risks for the child. The mother needs to build her appropriate body-stores — vitamins and minerals, proteins, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) — to ensure optimal development of her child. Replenishment of reserves is important for maternal health and before bearing another child. A restorative time of three years is desirable.

Governments and school teachers need to guide and encourage parents in this health education and practice, and to use their authority to achieve it in schools. Empowerment with knowledge is the one way to fend off the growing pandemic of mental ill health and related disorders, and to make the most of a nation's genetic potential. There could be no better investment financially, let alone in enhancing people's lives.