Background: Though evidence is limited, animal products like pork sausages and cheese may affect satiety differently due to their distinct protein, fat, and calcium content. This study therefore compared their acute effects on breakfast using appetite-related markers. Methods: A total of 11 women and 13 men, with a mean age of 23.0 ± 2.6 years and mean BMI of 24.5 ± 2.6 kg/m2, participated in this crossover design study. Concentrations of active ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), cholecystokinin (CCK), insulin, glucose, leptin, and blood lipids were measured. Subjective feelings of appetite using visual analogue scales were analyzed (0–4 h) as a response to two test breakfasts meals with a similar energy and macronutrient content. Appetite feelings and energy intake from an ad libitum buffet lunch were subsequently measured. Data were analyzed using two different ANOVA methods. Results: The pork sausage breakfast was characterized by an earlier triglyceride (TG) peak than the cheese. A slower TG clearance was seen with the cheese breakfast. Ghrelin suppression was longer in the pork sausage breakfast. Active GLP-1 concentration was higher following the cheese breakfast and active GIP declined slower. The two ANOVA methods disagreed regarding the insulin effect. Subjective feelings of hunger before buffet and ad libitum energy intake were higher in males (791 ± 64 kcal) compared with females (344 ± 32 kcal), but did not differ between breakfast types. Conclusions: Acute consumption of pork and cheese of the same energy, fat, and protein content provided detectable differences in appetite-related hormones and lipid responses. Appetite and lipid metabolism were affected by the major differentiators of the test meals, namely calcium, fatty acids and amino acids compositions.

The last century has witnessed many innovations in agriculture and food technologies that have ensured the production of sufficient quantities of good hygienic food. Animal scientists have contributed substantially to efficient breeding and feeding practices by adapting animals for faster growth and improving feed efficiency and utilization. Breeding goals and feeding recommendations have been proposed with a primary focus on profitability to promote significant changes in the macronutrient content, i.e., animal body protein and fat reduction. However, improving the nutritional quality of meat was not included in the profit assessment. Increasing the lean meat fraction is consistent with the goal of public dietary guidelines for human nutrition proposed in 1980, emphasizing the importance of reducing the consumption of animal fat, particularly saturated fat. The application of breeding and feeding tools to modify and improve the fatty acid composition has been partly implemented in pigs and broiler chickens to supplement the dietary recommendations for humans. The health benefits of lean “red meat” have been questioned in recent years, with dietary guidelines and upper limits being introduced for human intake. Animal breeding indirectly reduces the total and heme iron (the redness generator) content in meat, due to covariation with priority breeding goals. Two micronutrients play important roles in the human diet and are derived largely from meat (selenium) and milk (iodine) if the amount provided and absorbed is sufficient and predictable. The iodine content can be highly dependent on the use of novel (more sustainable) feeds. The micronutrients discussed in this study (Fe, Se, I, and vitamin D) highlight opportunities for the utilization of breeding and feeding knowledge to adjust their levels to procure meat with a high nutrient density. The gaps in micronutrient levels in humans must be addressed by navigating within approved animal feeding levels. Animal scientists must recognize the nutritional impact of breeding and feeding and advertise them. In addition, human nutritionists must acknowledge the existing and potential changes in animal production to meet the dietary guidelines. Sustainable food production within the “One Health” concept can only be achieved through cooperation.

Prospective studies have failed to establish a causal relationship between animal fat intake and cardiovascular diseases in humans. Furthermore, the metabolic effects of different dietary sources remain unknown. In this four-arm crossover study, we investigated the impact of consuming cheese, beef, and pork meat on classic and new cardiovascular risk markers (obtained from lipidomics) in the context of a healthy diet. A total of 33 young healthy volunteers (23 women/10 men) were assigned to one out of four test diets in a Latin square design. Each test diet was consumed for 14 days, with a 2-week washout. Participants received a healthy diet plus Gouda- or Goutaler-type cheeses, pork, or beef meats. Before and after each diet, fasting blood samples were withdrawn. A reduction in total cholesterol and an increase in high density lipoprotein particle size were detected after all diets. Only the pork diet upregulated plasma unsaturated fatty acids and downregulated triglycerides species. Improvements in the lipoprotein profile and upregulation of circulating plasmalogen species were also observed after the pork diet. Our study suggests that, within the context of a healthy diet rich in micronutrients and fiber, the consumption of animal products, in particular pork meat, may not induce deleterious effects, and reducing the intake of animal products should not be regarded as a way of reducing cardiovascular risk in young individuals.

Bovine meat provides healthy nutrients but has also been negatively linked to greenhouse gases and non-communicable diseases. A double-blind intervention study was carried out to compare beef meat from bulls fed with feed supplemented with selenium, vitamin D, E, K (SeDEK-feed), and n-3, or REGULAR feed. Thirty-four young healthy women (19–29 years old) consumed 300 g of these beef types per day for 6 days in a cross-over design. Diet registrations, blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and clinical data were collected four times. Both beef diets were higher than their habitual diet in protein, fat, saturated fat, and several micronutrients; contained more vegetables and fewer carbohydrates and were followed by a higher feeling of satiety. The SeDEK beef had higher amounts of selenium, vitamin 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), E, and K (MK4), and increased serum selenium and 25(OH)D3 from the participants’ normal values if they were below 85 µg/L of selenium and 30 nmol of 25(OH)D3/L, respectively. Our study showed that optimized beef increased serum selenium in young women having moderate selenium levels and improved blood 25(OH)D3 in a woman having low to normal 25(OH)D3. Meat should be optimized to increase specific consumer groups’ needs for selenium and vitamin D.

The study investigated the effect of plant maturity of grass silage on intramuscular fat (IMF) concentration and fatty acid profile in M. longissimus thoracis of bulls. From 7 to 8 months of age until slaughter, 36 bulls of Norwegian Red were offered grass silage harvested at three maturity stages ad libitum, with or without concentrate supplement. Increasing plant maturity decreased the proportion of alpha-linolenic acid in IMF (P = 0.04). Concentrate supplementation increased the proportions in IMF of linoleic acid (P < 0.001) and C20:3n-6 (P < 0.008), decreased all analysed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P <= 0.02), conjugated linoleic acid (P < 0.01) and trans vaccenic acid (P < 0.001). Polyunsaturated fatty acids n-6/n-3 ratios were in the range 1.0-2.1 and increased with plant maturity and concentrate supplementation. Results suggest that 'grass-fed beef' also may be produced indoors with grass silages in regions with short grazing season.

ALA alpha linolenic acid (18:3n-3) ARA arachidonic Acid (20:4n-6) EPA eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) DGLA dihomo-gammalinolenic acid (20:3n-6) DHA docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) OLA oleic acid (18:1n-9) LNA linoleic acid (18:2n-6) Distribution graph showing the frequency distribution of a scale variable within a particular range. In this article, we may also use distribution when referring to a particular range, a – b, on the scale “low–number variables” have low numbers relative to “high-number variables” Range shows the highest and lowest values Uniform distribution every value within the range is equally likely Variability the width or spread of a distribution, measured e.g. by the range and standard deviation

Body fatty acids are important in health and disease. We previously observed two groups of fatty acids in breast muscle of chickens: Group 1) with relative amounts correlating negatively with %AA (20:4 n6), and Group 2) with relative amounts correlating positively with %AA. Within each of the two groups, we here found positive correlations between fatty acid percentages. Accordingly, Group 1 percentages correlated negatively with those of Group 2. With random numbers in lieu of the true values of Group 2 fatty acids, we were able to reproduce the positive correlations found with true values, if the random numbers were generated with the true ranges. In contrast, with random numbers we did not succeed in reproducing all of the negative correlations between Group 1 and Group 2 fatty acid percentages. We then observed that absolute amounts (g/kg) of fatty acids in Group 1 correlated positively and strongly (r > 0.9), suggesting a coordinated regulation of these fatty acids. Thus, Group 1 fatty acids seemed to be a cluster of fatty acids. Random number cluster percentage showed nice inverse associations with random number Group 2 fatty acid percentages, like the outcome observed with the true values. We suggest that associations between fatty acid percentages are caused by their concentration distributions, and by cluster regulation. Distribution Dependent and Cluster Regulation could be an evolutionary adaptation, where a mathematical rule is utilized to e.g. balance effects of eicosanoids/docosanoids, and possibly other metabolites.

The uptake of specific fatty acids in humans is dependent on their position on the glycerol backbone. There is a great interest in methods that can access this information fast and accurately. By way of high-resolution NMR, we have analyzed TAG extracted from pig and beef tissues and obtained quantitative data for the composition and regioisomeric distribution of all major unsaturated fatty acids usually found in these source materials, using a combination of manual integration and deconvolution of 13 C NMR spectra. In addition, we have developed a method for determining composition and regioisomeric distribution of the two main saturated fatty acids found in pork (16:0, 18:0). The results are discussed in relation to species-specific genetic characteristics of fatty acid and TAG biosynthesis. The developed method could support decisions related to breeding for desired fatty acid profiles, and stimulate further methodology developments using high field NMR.

Since oleic acid (OA, 18:1 c9) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n6) may have antagonistic actions, it is of interest to assess their relative abundances. We previously reported an inverse correlation between % OA and %AA. However, percentages of the same sum may be correlated without involving biology. We now investigate whether random numbers, generated within the true concentration distributions for OA and AA, may be correlated. We reanalysed data from a previous diet trial in chickens. Breast muscle was collected, and the concentration of fatty acids in muscle lipids was determined using gas chromatography. We computed R = S – OA – AA, where S is the sum of all fatty acids (g/kg) and R is concentration of all fatty acids, except OA and AA. From histograms we found physiological distributions of OA, AA and R. Then we generated random numbers for each of 3 variables (n = 163), within the distributions (g/kg) for OA (1–7), AA (0.25–0.39), and R (4–10). Next we made scatterplots of % OA vs. % AA, and studied how a narrowing or broadening of distributions might change the relationship. Also with random numbers, generated within true concentration distributions for OA and AA, we found an inverse relationship between their percentages (r = − 0.356, p < 0.001; r = 163); however, the points were not close to the regression line. The %OA vs. %AA relationship changed appreciably in response to slightly altering concentration distributions of OA and AA, and a negative association could be changed to become positive. Using random numbers, generated within the biological distributions for OA, AA, and sum of the remaining fatty acids, we found an inverse relationship between “% OA” and “% AA”, but the scatterplot was poor compared with that obtained with real values. The association between relative abundances of random numbers of OA and AA was very sensitive to changes in distributions, and a negative association could be changed to become positive by slightly altering the distributions. Thus, the association between relative abundances of OA and AA could be partly caused by the particular distribution of the fatty acid concentration: a Distribution Dependent Correlation.

In 2006, the European Commission approved nutrition and health claim regulations of foods to stimulate healthier choices. To document how commercial, minced beef meat complied with regulations, meat samples from 72 carcasses were analysed. These samples were a source of niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), phosphorus and iron (cow meat only), and a rich source of protein, monounsaturated fat, vitamin B12 and zinc. A potential exists for establishing beef meat as a source of vitamin K, iron and selenium. The meat's nutrient relevance for young women when ingesting 150 g of raw beef mince/day was estimated. Increased levels of riboflavin (B2), pantothenic acid (B5), iron and selenium beyond presently observed, would better support this group's recommended nutrient intake. If the bioactivity of 25-OH-vitamin D3 could be used in calculations, vitamin D3 in the minced meat would add positively to the intake of vitamin D3 that was 49% of the recommended intake.

Supplementation of feed for bulls with selenium (+50%), vitamin D3 (+300%), vitamin E (+825%), vitamin K3 (+325%) and omega-3 fatty acids (+120%) affected beef nutrient composition. Twelve bulls (½ year old) were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments; control (Con) or supplemented (Sup), and fed 170 days pre-slaughter at an amount of 1% of body weight. Daily gain and feed efficiency were equal in the two groups. Homogenate meat from left forequarter in the Sup group contained more selenium (+26%), vitamin MK4 (+123%), D (+197%), E (+318%), and had lower omega-6/omega-3 ratio (-24%) compared to Con meat. Sup meat fulfilled the requirements to be labelled by health claims and nutrient claims as: "A food item containing a significant amount of selenium, vitamin K and vitamin D". We suggest supplementation of cattle rations during the finishing period as a strategy to increase meat content of specific nutrients important to human health.

Sausages are perceived as high in Na and with a too high Na:K ratio. Frankfurter type sausages are regarded as important contributors of sodium in the diet and thereby of health risks. Surplus products from the dairy industry are various mineral powders enriched in either potassium, calcium, or phosphate and include various amounts of lactose. Sausages were produced at 3 sodium levels (equivalent to 13, 15, and 17 g NaCl/kg sausage) using 4 different milk ingredients (a dried skimmed milk powder, a calcium enriched milk powder, a potassium enriched powder, and a lactose enriched powder). The sausages with added calcium and potassium enriched milk powders resulted in the hardest sausages when compared at the same sodium level. Milk mineral addition also produced whiter and less red sausages. No effect on rancidity after 6 wk at chill (4 °C) storage was observed by adding milk minerals, when compared with adding dried skimmed milk powder. A significant advantage of using these milk minerals in sausages is that the Na:K ratio can be reduced from an unhealthy (in this study 36) to a far healthier ratio ( ̴ 2) with limited or no taste changes. High additions of milk calcium (6 g/kg), where Ca-phosphates prevail, added as milk mineral, had no influence on sensory bitterness or aftertaste as typically observed for CaCl2 additions. Ca additions to sausages are presently presumed to be an advantage with respect to human nutrition.

It is highly unlikely that there is another food plant equal or superior to drumstick in terms of its combination of nutritive, medicinal and disease preventive value, drought tolerance and ability to flourish on poor soils. This study used a genotype-environment approach to survey foliar mineral and carotenoid levels in a range of leafy vegetables from the Pacific Islands, Northern Australia and East Africa. The research showed drumstick has an exceptional ability to take up and accumulate in leaves the minerals selenium and sulphur, even when grown on soils where these minerals are poorly available to other plants. Moringa leaves contain particularly high levels of the important pro-vitamin A carotenoid, beta-carotene. Deficiencies of selenium, sulphur amino acids and vitamin A are common, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and this has important health and medical implications. As well as improving human and livestock nutrition and reducing disease risk, moringa foliage can provide green manure for other food crops. It is recommended that drumstick be planted and become part of the staple diet globally throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. Palatability can be improved by light steaming of leaves or adding to stews/curries/soup. Ideally, the leaves should be cooked with a small amount of oil (e.g., coconut, palm, peanut) to increase beta-carotene bioavailability and bioconversion to vitamin A.

Intake of red and processed meats is considered a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Several epidemiological and experimental studies have focused on this potential relationship, however, the findings are inconsistent and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. A number of mechanistic pathways have been proposed in an attempt to explain the link between red and processed meat and CRC, for example heme iron as a catalyst of N-nitroso compounds and the formation of genotoxic lipid peroxidation products, cancer-causing potential of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from heat treated meat, and even the potential negative effect of abnormal gut microflora. However, the confidence in the accuracy of either of these mechanisms is weakened by the heterogeneity, lack of dose-response, and modest strength of the epidemiological evidence. Studies focusing on the identification of red and processed meat intake biomarkers may help elucidate the potential mechanisms behind the association between CRC and red and processed meat intake.

As counteract against deficiency in livestock, dietary treatments are supplemented with selenium (Se), usually as the inorganic form sodium selenite (SS). Since Se is considered as toxic as well as an essential element, SS is added to prevent an increase of Se in edible chicken parts. However, in many countries, populations suffer from suboptimal Se intake and even Se deficiency, by increasing the use of organic Se sources such as Se‐enriched yeast or wheat in animal feed, there will be a subsequent increase in meat and egg products for human consumption. One could argue that the chickens do not need the extra pool of Se in muscles, as the inorganic form will be sufficient to meet the chickens Se requirements. Since the feed is fortified with selenite, the chickens will always have adequate access to the essential trace element. However, global gene set functional enrichment analysis revealed statistically significant enrichment of a number of biological processes that were dependent on the Se feed sources, such as cell growth, organ development and protein metabolism in favour of organic Se.

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is the leading risk factor for global disease burden, contributing to 7% of global disability adjusted life years. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibiting bioactive peptides have the potential to reduce BP in humans. These peptides have been identified in many dairy products and have been associated with significant reductions in BP. Objective: The objective of this trial was to examine whether a cheese rich in ACE-inhibiting peptides (Gamalost®), or a standard Gouda-type cheese could lower BP. Design: A total of 153 healthy participants were randomised to one of three parallel arms: Gamalost® (n=53, 50 g/day for 8 weeks), Gouda-type cheese (n=50, 80 g/day for 8 weeks), and control (n=50). BP and anthropometric measurements were taken at the baseline and at the end, with an additional BP measurement midway. Based on BP at baseline, participants were categorised as having optimal BP (<120/<80 mmHg), normal-high BP (120–139/80–89 mmHg), or being hypertensive (>140/>90 mmHg). Questionnaires about lifestyle, health, and dietary habits were completed at baseline, midway and end. Results: In total, 148 participants (mean age 43, 52% female) completed the intervention. There were no differences among the three groups in relevant baseline characteristics. BP was reduced in the entire study population, but the cheese groups did not differ from control. However, in a subgroup of participants with slightly elevated BP, BP at 4 weeks of intervention seemed to be borderline significantly more reduced in the Gamalost® group compared with the control group (Dunnett test: diastolic BP −3.5 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) −7.3, 0.4, systolic BP: −4.3 mmHg, 95% CI −9.8, 1.1). Conclusion: An intention-to-treat analysis of the data showed no cheese effect upon BP compared to control, but Gamalost® seemed to have a small, non-significant lowering effect on diastolic BP after 4 weeks in people with a normal-high BP.