M. Mohanapriya ¹, Lalitha Ramaswamy ¹, R. Rajendran ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and Department of Microbiology, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore – 641014, IN

Abstract

Natural fermentation occurs when micro organisms are allowed to react with susceptible organic substrates. Fermentation plays an important role in preservation of foods. Fermenting fruits and vegetables can bring many health benefits to the people in developing countries. The demand for fruit beverages is increasing in India due to the increasing trend towards fast foods and also to cater to the changing consumer taste. Fruit juices are deemed to be a suitable vehicle for probiotic bacteria, as they are not exposed to acidic stomach conditions for too long (resistance time is short).

Full Text

     

Lalitha Ramaswamy ¹, Mark Kern ², Latha Sathiyamoorthy ², S. Preema ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Nutrition and Dietetics, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, IN
2 School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, US

Abstract

A balanced diet has all the nutrients required in correct proportions for healthy growth and prevents the body from contacting infections and diseases. There is a wide variety in terms of food and cuisine in India and in the U.S. This pilot study examined and compared physical activity (PA), Body Mass Index (BMI), dietary intake of the subjects in Coimbatore and the Asian Indian immigrants living in San Diego (SD) and whether or not the place of living, including length of residence in SD influences these variables. Asian Indians living in America exhibit cultural differences between their place of origin and the place of living. Thirty-two participants from Coimbatore (N=17) and San Diego (N=15), both men (N=16) and women (N=16) between the age group of 20 and 60 years participated in this pilot study. All participants completed demographic information, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a single 24-hr dietary recall. One-way ANOVA was performed to determine differences in the physical activity, BMI, macro/micronutrient and calorie intake based on place of living and years of residence in SD. Descriptive statistics for demographic information and BMI was calculated. No significant differences were found between the two places of living and years of residence in SD for PA, BMI, nutrient and calorie intake (p>0.05), except for significant differences in protein (p=0.03), carbohydrate (p=0.03), calcium (p=0.048) and vitamin A (p=0.001) between the two places of living.

Keywords

Comparison Study, Food Intake, Body Weight, Asian Indians, Coimbatore, San Diego, Physical Activity, Pilot Study.

Full Text

     

Lalitha Ramaswamy ¹, R. D. Sathya Suba ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Nutrition, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641014, IN

Abstract

Obesity may be defined as a condition In which there is an excessive amount of body fat. A greater percentage of women are overweight and women bear a greater psychologicai burden with respect to the sociai pressures to be thin and social consequences of obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity which was 29.5 per cent and 11.1 per cent, respectively in 1995, shows significant rising trends. Glucose intolerance, dysiipidemia, hypertension and metabolic syndrome were significantly higher among the overweight and obese subjects than among normal subjects.

Full Text

     

Anusha Priyadarsini ¹, Lalitha Ramaswamy ¹, K. G. Prasanth ², Beedu Sashidhar Rao ³

Affiliations
1 PSG College of Arts and Science, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, IN
2 PSG College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Coimbatore, IN
3 Osmania University, Department of Biochemistry, Hyderabad, IN

Abstract

Exercise is the stressor that can perturb body zinc homeostasis because it increases zinc loss and exercise is also the potent stressor that influences circulating zinc concentration in the blood affecting the physical performance of a person. Zinc added in the diets increases muscle strength and improves the endurance performance. The data on the effect of zinc supplementation in the dietary form and the endurance level of the athletes were found to be limited. The zinc supplements in the form of pills causes side effect, therefore an attempt was made to find out a dietary zinc supplement and its effect on the physical performance of rats. To find the effect of formulated sesame nutribar on the performance of the rats, 28 days supplementation protocol was carried out on a rat model. The desiccated coconut nutribar designed for the athletes containing 0.06mg (Experimental -I) and 0.08mg (Experimental-II) of dietary zinc were supplemented and a basal diet was fed to the control group (CGP) and physical training test was performed and evaluated. The rats of CGP were found to perform less in the swim test than Exp-I and Exp-II with F value being highly significant (p<0.01), thus indicating the effect of zinc present in the sesame nutribar. The data indicates the supplementation of the dietary zinc in the form of sesame nutribar improved the physical performance of the rats and thus can be used in place of elemental zinc.

Keywords

Sesame, Nutribar, Zinc, Maximal Workload Capacity.

Full Text

     

Lalitha Ramaswamy ¹, S. Prasath ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, P.S.G. College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore - 641 014, IN

Abstract

The elderly population is increasing day-by-day with the development of science and medicine. India will be having an elderly population of 12.7 per cent by 2010 and 23.1 per cent in 2025. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly.

Full Text