Higher rates of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in American children:Are food quality issues impacting epigenetic inheritance?

In the United States,schools offer special education services to children who are diagnosed with a learning or neurodevelopmental disorder and have difficulty meeting their learning goals.Pediatricians may play a key role in helping children access special education services.The number of children ages 6-21 in the United States receiving special education services increased 10.4%from 2006 to 2021.Children receiving special education services under the autism category increased 242%during the same period.The demand for special education services for children under the developmental delay and other health impaired categories increased by 184%and 83%respectively.Although student enrollment in American schools has remained stable since 2006,the percentage distribution of children receiving special education services nearly tripled for the autism category and quadrupled for the developmental delay category by 2021.Allowable heavy metal residues remain persistent in the American food supply due to food ingredient manufacturing processes.Numerous clinical trial data indicate heavy metal exposures and poor diet are the primary epigenetic factors responsible for the autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder epidemics.Dietary heavy metal exposures,especially inorganic mercury and lead may impact gene behavior across generations.In 2021,the United States Congress found heavy metal residues problematic in the American food supply but took no legislative action.Mandatory health warning labels on select foods may be the only way to reduce dietary heavy metal exposures and improve child learning across generations.

Long-Term Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Bound Phospholipids and the Combination of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Bound Triglyceride and Egg Yolk Phospholipid on Lipid Metabolism in Mice

The bioavailability of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) depends on their chemical forms. This study investigated the long-term effects of DHA-bound triglyceride(TG-DHA), DHA-bound phospholipid(PL-DHA), and the combination of TG-DHA and egg yolk phospholipid(Egg-PL) on lipid metabolism in mice fed with a high-fat diet(fat levels of 22.5%). Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with different formulations containing 0.5% DHA, including TG-DHA, PL-DHA, and the combination of TG-DHA and Egg-PL, for 6 weeks. Serum, hepatic, and cerebral lipid concentrations and the fatty acid compositions of the liver and brain were determined. The concentrations of serum total triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), and hepatic TG in the PL-DHA group and the combination group were significantly lower than those in the high-fat(HF) group(P < 0.05). Atherogenic index(AI) of the PL-DHA group was significantly lower than that of the combination group(P < 0.05). Hepatic TC level in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the HF group(P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the combination group and the PL-DHA group. Both the PL-DHA and the combination groups showed significantly increased DHA levels in the liver compared with the HF group(P < 0.05). However, there were no obvious increases in the cerebral DHA levels in all DHA diet groups. These results suggest that PL-DHA was superior to the combination of TG-DHA and Egg-PL in decreasing the AI. Long-term dietary supplementation with low amount of DHA(0.5%) may improve hepatic DHA levels, although cerebral DHA levels may not be enhanced.

An exploratory study of food safety and food handling: Examining ready-to-eat foods in independent delicatessen operations

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2009) reports that each year 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur with over 300,000 people hospitalized and 5000 deaths. This study, phase I of a continuing study, identifies key areas for food safety improvement. This study is designed as an exploratory evaluation of independently owned and operated delicatessen operations, using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as indicators to assess food handling and the public’s risk for pathogenic contamination from commonly served ready-to-eat/take-away foods. The analysis consisted of a comprehensive strategy of laboratory testing of samples for pathogenic contamination, informal field observation of food handling procedures, and the examination of the most recent health inspection reports for each of the 18 operations visited. The deli turkey, cream cheese and lettuce were tested using bacteria indicator plates. The results showed widespread levels of contamination. Of the 54 samples tested for Escherichia coli, 26 showed positive results which are ~45% for E. coli contamination. Of the 54 samples tested for Staphy-lococcus aureus, 31 showed positive results which are ~57% for S. aureus contamination. One issue discovered while conducting the study was the lack of consistent uniform international standards of contamination tolerance levels. The informal field observations and health report analyses revealed widespread temperature violations and numerous instances of poor food handling. The study offers independent practitioners a strategy designed to improve their health inspections scores, food handling, and mitigation of operator liability. Independent operators traditionally do not enjoy the resources of centralized supervision and expert on-staff training;yet in aggregate they account for significant volume in both dollars and the quantity of product served. This study adds needed scrutiny to this important food niche.

Dietary habits and behaviors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is one of the most frequent causes of health problems in Western(industrialized)countries.Moreover,the incidence of infantile NAFLD is increasing,with some of these patients progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.These trends depend on dietary habits and life-style.In particular,overeating and its associated obesity affect the development of NAFLD.Nutritional problems in patients with NAFLD include excess intake of energy,carbohydrates,and lipids,and shortages of polyunsaturated fatty acids,vitamins,and minerals.Although nutritional therapeutic approaches are required for prophylaxis and treatment of NAFLD,continuous nutrition therapy is difficult for many patients because of their dietary habits and lifestyle,and because the motivation for treatment differs among patients.Thus,it is necessary to assess the nutritional background and to identify nutritional problems in each patient with NAFLD.When assessing dietary habits,it is important to individually evaluate those that are consumed excessively or insufficiently,as well as inappropriate eating behaviors.Successful nutrition therapy requires patient education,based on assessments of individual nutrients,and continuing the treatment.In this article,we update knowledge about NAFLD,review the important aspects of nutritional assessment targeting treatment success,and present some concrete nutritional care plans which can be applied generally.