We evaluated the effectiveness of a meal control method, which we have developed for improving the diet of healthy individuals without loss of quality based on a food exchange list including confectionery and alcohol. To control the daily meals, 16 healthy women compared their total intake units and unit distribution with those instructed, using an intake unit record sheet, for eight weeks. Thirteen of the women (aged 39.2±7.2 years, mean±SD) completed the meal control. Taking the recommended amount of confectionery and alcohol, they followed the instructed intake of total energy during the meal control period. Their body weight was reduced from 54.9±6.7kg to 52.9±5.7kg, and their percentage body fat was reduced significantly (p<0.01) from 27.5±5.0% to 25.3±4.5%. No health problems occurred in the subjects. The nutrient density of protein, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂ and vitamin C increased significantly (p<0.05). The questionnaire revealed that ten subjects found this meal control helpful for recognizing daily nutrient balance and that nine subjects had a favorable view about the method. The present findings suggest that a method combining meal control with eating pleasure is useful for diet control in healthy individuals. Sustained weight loss for six months after the end of the meal control period in ten subjects was presumably because the diet control method gave them an indication of appropriate food intake. We therefore suggest that this method may raise awareness of appropriate energy and food intake.

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Rutin and hesperidin, which are known as vitamin P, have antioxidant activities, and are expected to exhibit preventive or therapeutic effects on many diseases. However, in spite of their useful effects, their use has been limited because of their low water solubility. Glucosylated vitamin P (GVP) shows improved solubility; it dissolves in water to a 10, 000-fold greater extent than conventional vitamin P. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant property of GVP, and investigated whether GVP is effective against oxidative stress mediated by free radicals in hyperlipidemia. GVP was found to exhibit the same antioxidant efficacy as vitamin P in vitro. The plasma of rats after oral administration of GVP showed a decrease of lipid peroxides induced by copper sulfate. Furthermore, GVP significantly reduced the serum total cholesterol (Chol) and HDL-Chol levels in mice with hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet. The lipid peroxide level in serum and eyeballs increased in the mice, suggesting an increase of oxidative stress. GVP significantly decrease the level of lipid oxidation. In addition, GVP also suppressed the overproduction of interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-4 in the mice, but not to a significant extent. These results indicate that GVP exhibits antioxidant activity in vivo and that this effect is probably associated with the suppression of lipid hydroperoxide and the inflammatory response, which are elevated in hyperlipidemia.

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The effect of the antioxidative activity of a methanol extract of safflower in rats was investigated using a low vitamin E diet. This confirmed that the liver MDA value and arteriosclerotic index were decreased by the extract. We then investigated which types of the safflower components were effective. The fresh petals were extracted with methanol and the methanol extract (M) was then divided into AcOEt- (A) and H₂O-soluble fractions. The water-soluble fraction was separated by polyacrylamide column chromatography into three fractions, B, C, and D. The main components of B, C and D are proteins and carbohydrates, flavonoid glycosides, and the yellow dye safflower yellow, respectively. Carthamin (E), the red dye component of safflower, was prepared independently from fermented safflower petals. Wistar rats 5 weeks of age were fed for four weeks on a low vitamin E diet, and the fractions from the methanol extract were administered orally every day. It was confirmed that the liver and serum MDA values were decreased by fractions A and B, and that the concentration of HDL-cholesterol was increased by fractions D and E. The present results confirm that safflower petals contain a component that reduces peroxylipid and lipid metabolism.

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The effect of vinegar on iron absorption was investigated in rats fed a diet excluding iron. The serum iron levels were significantly higher in rats administered iron with vinegar than in those without vinegar. Various vinegars and acetic acid had similar effects on iron absorption. These results suggest that acetic acid in vinegar increases iron absorption. Various vinegars may be useful for enhancing iron absorption.

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Insulina (Cissus sicyoides L.) has been used as a folk medicine for diabetes and hypertension in Brazil. To clarify the physiological function of Insulina that suppresses the elevation of portal glucose levels, various treatment methods were examined using α-glucosidase inhibitory activity as an in vitro index. Insulina leaf extract showed inhibition of α-glucosidase activity after extraction with hot water, and the inhibition was strengthened by additional roasting treatment before heat extraction. Furthermore, the duration and intensity of the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Insulina extracts administered to unrestrained, unanesthetized rats with portal vein cannulae were examined. Under continuous intragastric sucrose infusion, Insulina extracts suppressed the elevation of portal glucose levels and extended the duration of the inhibitory effects achieved by roasting and heating treatment. These results suggest that Insulina extract might be useful for prevention of diabetes, at least through the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity that is increased by roasting and heating.

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The present study suggested that the mechanism responsible for greater body fat accumulation in rats fed a beef tallow diet compared with rats fed a safflower oil diet was related to the following factors induced by reduction of sympathetic nerve activity in peripheral tissues. 1) Reduction of diet-induced thermogenesis and an increase of the serum insulin level. 2) Decrease of lipolysis in adipose tissue. 3) Decrease of lipid uptake into BAT, heart and skeletal muscle from the blood stream. 4) Increase of lipogenesis in the liver. Moreover, the lower sympathetic activity in rats fed a beef tallow diet may be caused by a decrease of norepinephrine turnover rate and β-adrenergic receptor binding in the hypothalamus.

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Spices and herbs have been used from prehistoric times not only for flavoring foods but also for their antioxidant, preservative and medicinal properties. We therefore searched for active antioxidant and antimicrobial constituents of spices and herbs. New antioxidative compounds were isolated and their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Examples of new antioxidants included phenolic diterpenes from rosemary and sage, which were remarkably effective, compounds such as phenolic carboxylic acids and glycosides from oregano and marjoram, gingerol-related compounds and diarylheptanoids from common ginger, biphenyls and flavonoids from thyme, and phenolic amides from pepper and chili pepper. Structurally different types of polyphenols were obtained from allspice, and carbazoles from curry leaves (Murraya koenigii). Some of the antioxidants were effective in suppressing inflammation and tumor formation in mice. Antimicrobials included monoterpenes in nutmeg and clove, lignans in papuamace, and polymethoxylated phenols in Alpinia species. Spices and herbs therefore play an important role in human life and health.

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