• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.655-661
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• 2008

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children has increased dramatically in recent years. Although AD has genetic determinants, this rapid increase is most likely due to changes in environmental influences--for example, dietary changes. The purpose of this case-control study was to assess the relationship between the risk of developing AD and dietary factors, including eating habits, food intake, and the consumption of various functional foods in children at ages of 7 or 8 years. 143 AD patients and 335 healthy children participated in this study. A mini-dietary assessment was utilized to evaluate the food intake and dietary patterns of the children, and other information, including demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, eating habits, and the frequency of functional food use was collected using a questionnaire. The results demonstrated that, among the demographic and socioeconomic factors assessed in this study, female gender, mother's employment, and the family history of AD significantly increased the risk of AD. However, no differences in dietary habits and specific food intake between AD patients and healthy controls were identified. On the other hand, the frequencies of taking multivitamin supplements, Spirulina, or gamma-linoleic acid were significantly higher in AD patients than in the controls. These data indicate that alterations in eating habits and the intake of certain foods may not be a critical cause associated with the risk of AD in school-age children, and caution should be taken in recommending food elimination diets for the purpose of preventing AD. Further studies are required in order to determine whether the intake of specific nutrients could contribute to the increase or prevention of the development of AD in school-age children.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2007

It is well known the functional foods are very useful to prevent serious diseases and promote health. Therefore, they are often called as nutraceuticals, designer foods, and pharmafoods, etc. Most of foods have diverse functions because they provide nutrients, energies and fibrinoid materials. When foods are taken in the body, they promote the biological defense system against diseases through the supply of the essential or healthy materials to human being's organs. The mode of action and functional foods in human body have not been clarified yet. Antioxidant is known as one of the therapeutic aids which can be reduced pesticide poisoning. Onion has a strong antioxidant effect. This study was carried out to elucidate an antioxidant function of onion by determination of superoxide dismutase in liver, lung, serum of male rat administered by intraperitonial injection of 0, 2, $4\;mg\;kg^{-1}$ cblorpyrifos after administrated orally with onion for 6 weeks. Damage of liver and kidney was also investigated by biochemical analysis of serum(AST, ALT, BUN/Creatine ratio). SOD(superoxide dismutase) activity of onion-administrated group is higher than control group. In liver and lung, SOD activity of onion+cblorpyrifos administrated group is higher than only chlorpyrifos administrated group. BUN/Creatinine ratio of onion+chlorpyrifos administrated group was decreased compared with only chlorpyrifos-administrated group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to compare the healthy dining out attitude of restaurant diners by self-rated health status. Using healthy dining attitude and behavior questionnaire and a single question describing self-rated health status, the needs and importance of healthy dining out was detected. Mean age of the 182 respondents was 38.9${\pm}$11.37 years old and 37.4% of the respondents answered their mean monthly income was over 6,000,000won showing the subjects belonged in high income diners. The needs of healthy dining measured by five scales and offering healthy menus(3.80), labeling foods about original country(3.79), using environmentally friendly foodstuffs(3.71) and labeling nutrients on menu board(3.62) show higher score than others. A total of 76.4% of the respondents assessed their health status as 'good-rated Health' and 23.6% was 'poor-rated health'. There was no difference in frequency of eating out by self-perception of health status but, the 'poor-rated health' group need more nutrition information in restaurant specially for calorie(p<0.05), cholesterol(p<0.05), fiber(p<0.05), functional nutrients(p<0.001) showing significant differences comparing to 'good-rated health' group. In good-rated health group, selection of Korean cuisine for eating out was more frequent than the poor. The results shows the needs of healthy dining can be varied by diner's health status and therefore restaurateur should focus on understanding of the needs of diners with various health status.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2011

배경: 골다공증은 골대사의 불균형으로 인해 골 흡수가 골 형성보다 많아져 골밀도가 감소함으로서 발생한다. 골다공증의 이상적인 치료목표는 골형성을 증가시키거나 골소실을 방지하여 골량을 현 상태로 유지하는 것이다. 따라서 향후 발생되는 골소실을 에방하는 것이 골다공증의 원칙적이고 효과적인 치료방법이 될 것이다. 본 연구에서는 흑효모 중 $Aureobasidium$ $pullulans$으로부터 유래한 폴리칸(베타-글루칸)이 중년여성의 골대사에 미치는 영향을 규명하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 골대사에 대한 폴리칸의 효과를 규명하기 위해 12주간의 무작위배정, 이중눈가림, 플라세보 대조 임상연구를 수행하였다. 총 60명(폴리칸 투여군30명, 플라세보 투여군 30명)의 중년 여성 피험자가 등록되어 이 중 총 58명의 피험자가 최종적으로 12주간의 임상연구를 종료하였다. 결 과: 폴리칸(150 mg/d) 투여 12주 후, 폴리칸 투여군은 요 중 Deoxypyridinoline (DPD) 농도가 유의적인 감소를 보였다($P$=0.014). 혈청 중 Osteocalcin(OSC) 농도는 두 군 모두에서 유의적으로 증가하였으며, bone-specific alkaline posphatase (bALP) 와 collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTx)는 유의적 변화가 보이지 않았다. 폴리칸은 골밀도(BMD)와 혈청 부갑상선 호르몬(iPTH)에 대해 유의적인 변화를 보이지 않았으나, 24시간 요 중 Ca 배설량은 폴리칸 투여군에서 유의하게 감소되었다($P$=0.028). 또한 폴리칸 투여군에서 고밀도지단백 콜레스테롤(HDL-cholesterol) 농도의 증가 경향 및 중성지방(triglyceride)의 유의적인 감소가 보였다. 임상연구 기간 중에 발생한 이상반응은 두 군간에 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결 론: 본 연구에서는 폴리칸이 골대사 및 지질에 대해 일부 개선효과가 있음을 보여주었다. 그러나, 골다공증 예방 측면에서 보다 장기적인 임상연구와 피험자 수를 확대하여 골대사 및 지질대사에 대한 폴리칸의 예방적 효과를 규명할 필요가 있을것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.163-177
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the perception, consumption, and acceptability of convenience mealsin low-income female elderly attending a lunch program at a community well fare center. Using in-depth interviews, qualitative data were collected 11 elderly females ($62.5{\pm}11.2y$) living in Seoul. Participants tried to eat various foods in small-portionsat home, although they ate out what they were offered. Elderly females preferred lunch box-type meals containing a bowl of rice served with toppings, gruel, or Bibimbop due to the growing unavailability of cooking or preparing a meal. Side-dish type convenience mealswere also preferred among elderly females since boiled rice can be easily prepared according to individual preferences. In addition, participants preferred healthy foods. Convenience meal planning and production, appropriate kinds of foods, cooking methods, menus, and packaging should be selected based on the elderly's functional atrophy in chewing, swallowing, digestion, and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, food preferences and comfort foods among the elderlyneed to be identified and characterized. Therefore, more information, including bite size, cutting size, and food texture, should be provided to understand and develop convenience meals for the elderly.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.294-303
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• 2010

Various types of health functional foods (HFF) are popularly used among middle-aged. We surveyed 946 middle-aged in Korea for HFF use and significant variables for their HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of HFF was 58.9%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were taken most frequently, followed by nutritional supplements, ginseng products > mushroom products. HFF was taken more frequently in subjects from high monthly family income (p < .001), and in those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .001) in comparison to each corresponding group. Mean age of users was higher than nonusers (p < .001). Self concern about health (p < .001) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) were higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. Total dietary assessment score was not different in two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of HFF than nonusers (p < .001). Most users of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (52.8%) and experienced a little effect through the HFF use (51.2%). Most users of HFF obtained the information on HFF through family and relatives (30.5%) and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (44.5%). HFF users preferred multivitamin and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread use of HFF and inappropriate usage of HFF among subjects, the proper use of these products for the contribution to their optimal nutrition and overall health is a subject that should be formed through practical nutrition education considering the various variables affecting their HFF use.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Spirulina is a known a functional food related to lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity. Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level is associated with inflammation markers. Single nucleotide polymorphism in the MCP-1 promoter region -2518 have been identified and shown to affect gene transcription. Gene variation may also impact functional food supplementary effects. The current study investigated the interaction of MCP-1 -2518 polymorphism with spirulina supplements on anti-inflammatory capacity in Korean elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: After genotyping, healthy elderly subjects (n = 78) were included in a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study. Baseline characteristic, body composition, and dietary intake were measured twice (baseline vs. week 16). For 16 weeks, subjects consumed 8 g either spirulina or placebo daily. Plasma MCP-1, interleukin (IL) -2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, complement (C) 3, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and Ig A concentrations and lymphocyte proliferation rate (LPR) were analyzed as inflammatory markers. RESULTS: In the placebo group with A/A genotype, MCP-1 level was significantly increased, but the spirulina group with A/A genotype was unchanged. IL-2 was significantly increased only in subjects with spirulina supplementation. TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly reduced in subjects with the G carrier. C3 was significantly increased in the placebo group, particularly when A/A increased more than G, but not when spirulina was ingested. LPR was significantly different only in subjects with A/A genotype; there was a significant increase in phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide induced LPR in the spirulina group. CONCLUSION: In healthy Korean elderly, spirulina supplementation may influence different inflammatory markers by the MCP-1 genotype. These results may be useful for customized dietary guidelines to improve immune function in Koreans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.415-423
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to estimate the consumption prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplements as health functional foods (VM-HFF) and to examine the factors associated with VM-HFF consumption behaviors in adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attending middle or high schools from various cities and rural communities in Korea participated in this study. The prevalence of VM-HFF consumption was 41.7%, with boys showing a higher consumption than girls (p<0.01). VM-HFF consumption was higher in families with higher socioeconomic status and for families with parents that exhibited higher concerns about their child's health, growth, and nutritional intake (p<0.001). Most consumers of VM-HFF consumed HFFs 'when healthy' (50.1%), and acquired nutritional information from 'their families & relatives' (50.9%). Most consumers responded that VM-HFF was 'a little effective' (54.3%), followed by 'no obvious effects' (37.1%), and 'very effective' (7.4%). The effectiveness of consuming VM-HFF was mainly for 'fatigue recovery' (39.0%) and 'health improvement' (28.2%). Most consumers purchased HFFs at 'pharmacies & oriental medicine clinics' (53.8%) and at 'health functional food stores' (18.8%). Most consumers 'occasionally' (51.1%) or 'seldom' (27.3%) checked nutrition facts when purchasing, with 58.9% of consumers understanding the nutritional label for 'the most part', but only 8.7% of them understanding it 'very well'. Among the VM-HFF, consumers preferred calcium- and vitamin C-supplements. Consumers' mini-dietary assessment scores were higher than those of non-consumers. The results above showed that VM-HFF consumption was widely spread among adolescents, but few consumers checked and understood the nutrition label when they purchased VM-HFF, and were highly dependent on the advice and information from non-professional nutritionists, such as families & relatives. Therefore, it is necessary to educate adolescents to help them read nutrition labels and select the proper VM-HFF.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2018

This paper defines the common features of synbiotics based on the definition of probiotics and prebiotics, and reviews the effectiveness of synbiotic food. The concept of synbiotics is defined as 'a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics that have a beneficial effect on the host, as a dietary supplement that alters living organisms in the gastrointestinal tract and improves their survival.' Synbiotic food contains ingredients with beneficial microbes that are expected to improve interactions between microbial and useful substances. Synbiotic foods may have anti-cancer and immune system-boosting effects. Improved digestion, healthier bowel movements, and overall increased intestinal health has been reported were reported after increasing the healthy microorganisms within the intestinal tract. In addition, depending on the type of food containing the symbiotic ingredients, more consistent weight control, improvement of cardiovascular health, and lower blood glucose levels may also be expected. Unlike previous studies, this review of synbiotics has shown that it is necessary for synergistic effects to take place among microorganisms and components to be further studied. Further research is needed on the safety and ingestion of microorganisms contained in synbiotics.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.386-399
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined whether the supply of healthy Korean diets for 12 weeks is effective in improving the risk factors related to serum GGT and cardiovascular diseases in patients with hypertension and diabetes. Methods: This study selected 41 patients, who were treated with hypertension and diabetes. The Korean diet was composed of cooked-rice, soup, kimchi, and various banchan with one serving called bapsang, which emphasize proportionally high consumption of vegetables and fermented foods, moderate to high consumption of legumes and fish, and low consumption of animal foods. The control group was instead instructed to "eat and exercise as usual" while following the Korean Diabetes Association's dietary guidelines with an intake that can assist in glycemic control, maintain adequate weight, and meet the nutritional requirements. The Korean diet group (21 patients) were served three healthy Korean meals a day for 12 weeks, and the control group (20 patients, who trained in the diet guideline of diabetes) maintained their usual diabetic diet. The serum GGT, blood pressure, heart rate, glycemic control data, cardiovascular risk indicators, and changes in diet measured at the four visits (week 0, 4, 8, and 12) during the course of 12 weeks were compared and evaluated. Results: The serum GGT (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p = 0.004), heart rate (p = 0.007), weight (p = 0.002), Body Mass Index (p = 0.002), body fat mass (p < 0.001), body fat (%) (p < 0.001), and free fatty acid (p = 0.007) in the Korean diet group decreased significantly after the dietary intervention compared to the control group. The amount of intake of rice, whole grains, green vegetables, Kimchi, and soybean fermented food were increased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The Korean diet group showed significant decreases (p < 0.001) in the intake of animal protein, lipid, and cholesterol derived from animal foods compared to the control group but significant increases (p < 0.001) in the intake of total calories, folic acid, dietary fiber, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A, E, and C. Conclusion: In patients with hypertension and diabetes, it was confirmed that regular eating of a healthy Korean diet helps improve the risk factors for GGT and cardiovascular diseases.