Of interest from the journals.

Pohl M, Mayr R, Mertl-Roetzer M et al. Glycaemic control in type II diabetic tube-fed patients with a new enteral formula low in carbohydrates and high in monounsaturated fatty acids: a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 1221-32.

This randomised double-blind multicentre trial involving 78 tube-fed patients with type 2 diabetes and neurological dysphasia found that a low-CHO (37%) high-MUFA (32%; 45% fat) formula produced more effective glycaemic control than a standard high-CHO (52%) low-fat (30%; 17% MUFA) formula.

Leeman M, Ostman E, Bjorck I. Vinegar dressing and cold storage of potatoes lowers postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses in health subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 1226-71.

This cross-over heal-based study of 12 healthy volunteers demonstrated an increase in amount of resistant starch when boiled potatoes were cold stored (from 1.7 to 2.5 g). Both cold storage and added vinegar reduced the GI compared with freshly boiled potatoes, albeit similar to the white wheat reference bread.

Biorkland M, van Rees A, Mensink RP, Onning G. Changes in serum lipids and postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations after consumption beverages with [beta]-glucans from oats or barley: a randomised dose-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 1272-81.

This parallel single-blind randomised five-week trial (with three week wash-in) with four intervention and one control group(s) found that the dose of [beta]-glucan does not necessarily predict cholesterol lowering effects and the food source is important.

Meumier N, O'Connor JM, Maiani G et al. Importance of zinc in the elderly: the ZENITH study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59 (Suppl. 2): S1-4.

This review article summarises the main focal areas of the ZENITH study, much of which is referred to in the full supplement issue. In related physiological functions cognition and taste perception, as well as immunity, oxidation and bone metabolism are reviewed.

Compher C, Hise M, Sternberg A, Kinosian BP. Comparison between Medgem and Deltatrac resting metabolic rate measurements. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 1136-41.

In this study three measures of RMR were taken under controlled conditions in 24 stable home nutrition support patients. Repeatability measures with the MG calorimeter were clinically acceptable (limits of agreement 233 and 247 kcal/day), but relative validity with Deltratrac were not (limits of agreement 577 and 253 kcal/day).

Koebnick C, Wagner K, Thielecke F et al. An easy-to-use semiquantitative food record validated for energy intake by using doubly labelled water technique. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 989-95.

This validation study of a German semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire found a good correlation between reported energy intake values and energy expenditure from DLW measurements (r = 0.685, P < 0.001) in 29 non-obese volunteers over a 14-day measurement period. Using a data-based approach reflecting the diet of the study population the questionnaire was based on 27 food groups with 270 associated foods, using standard portion sizes in a booklet to be completed over four consecutive days. Deviations of up to 4.5 MJ/day suggested limitations for use at the individual level.

Ball SD. Interdevice variability in percent fat estimates using the BOD POD. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 996-1001.

This reliability study of BOD POD data, based on duplicate measures on 50 adults with two units in the same laboratory found no clinically significant differences in body density and per cent body fat measures between and within units and no significant contribution to differences by subject characteristics.

Nestel PJ, Chronopulos A, Cehen M. Dairy fat in cheese raises LDL cholesterol less than that in butter in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 1059-63.

This randomised cross-over trial comparing four weeks consumption of 40 g dairy fat as better versus cheese in 14 men and five women of middle age and with mean total cholesterol 5.6 [+ or -] 0.8 mmol/L found the dairy fat delivered as butter significantly raised total and LDL cholesterol compared with a diet with less saturated fat, but this was not the case when the dairy fat was consumed as cheese.

de Jong RJ, Verwei M, West CE et al. Bioavailability of folic acid from fortified pasteurised and UHT-treated milk in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 59: 906-13.

This four-week double-blind placebo controlled parallel trail had 69 healthy adults receive 500 mL of extra pasteurised milk (PM), PM fortified with 200/mg folic acid, UHT milk or UHT milk with 200/mg folic acid.

The fortified milks substantially significantly increased folate status in serum by 6.6-7.0 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and in RBC by 32-36 mmol/L (P < 0.01), and decreased total homocysteine concentrations. Bioavailability was not significantly affected by folate binding proteins. Milk therefore provides a suitable matrix for folate fortification.