BackgroundBetter macro and micro nutrient status and their adequate intake by the athletes have great role in balancing losses associated with strenuous exercise, then for better performance. The objective of this study was to determine iron, folate and vitamin B12 status of Ethiopian professional athletes.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted using a point time convenient sample of 101 male and female Ethiopian professional athletes of different distance categories in the period of February to April 2014. Biochemical samples, detail health and exercise related interview, performance data, 24 h dietary diversity and weekly food frequency were collected.ResultsThe low, medium and high dietary diversity terciles were 36.1, 60.9 and 3.3 % respectively. The mean ± Sd of dietary diversity was 5.44 ± 1.8. Prevalence of iron overload (Serum ferritin >200 μg/L) was 11 %, whereas that of anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL), iron deficiency (ferritin < 12 μg/L) and moderate folate deficiency (<5.9 ng/mL) was 3, 2 and 20.8 % respectively. There was no iron deficiency anemia case in the study. In this study, the mean serum vitamin B12 concentration was 561 ± 231 pg/ml with a minimum and maximum value of 210 and 1736 pg/ml respectively, and there was no deficiency for this nutrient (>210 pg/ml). The iron status of male athletes was significantly different by running-distance categories. In contrast, such difference was absent for female athletes. Performance of the athletes was associated with their red blood cell count (RBC) at p = 0.03. The high performer athletes exhibited high mean value of micronutrient status and hematological variables than their counter parts. However, the RBC of the athletes was the only parameter whose association was statistically significant.ConclusionsThe observed gender difference in the association of running-distance category with iron and folate in this study needs further investigation. Given the 11 % iron overload in the present study; there is a need of awarance creation activities and diet intervention in the athletics federation, the athletes and the coaches in order not aggravate the present overload. Prescription of supplements such as iron-folate, multivitamins and minerals should not be based on broad spectrum rather it should be based on recent history of confirmed deficiency, clinical signs and/or laboratory testing to prevent trace element toxicity.

Background. The Akaki River in Ethiopia has been found to contain elevated levels of several metals. Our objectives were to characterize metals exposures of residents living near the Akaki River and to assess metal levels in their drinking water. Methods. In 2011, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 101 households in Akaki-Kality subcity (near the Akaki River) and 50 households in Yeka subcity (distant to the Akaki River). One willing adult in each household provided urine, blood, and drinking water sample. Results. Urinary molybdenum (p < 0.001), tungsten (p < 0.001), lead (p < 0.001), uranium (p < 0.001), and mercury (p = 0.049) were higher in Akaki-Kality participants compared to Yeka participants. Participants in both subcities had low urinary iodine; 45% met the World Health Organization (WHO) classification for being at risk of moderate iodine deficiency. In Yeka, 47% of households exceeded the WHO aesthetic-based reference value for manganese; in Akaki-Kality, only 2% of households exceeded this value (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between metals levels in water samples and clinical specimens. Conclusions. Most of the exposures found during this investigation seem unlikely to cause acute health effects based on known toxic thresholds. However, toxicity data for many of these metals are very limited.

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Garden cress seed is a potential source of macro and micronutrients including essential fatty acids and amino acids as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The seed also provides appreciable amount of health-protective bioactive compounds used to treat diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, bone fracture, asthma, constipation and some forms of cancer. Besides,, it is used to develop functional foods of therapeutic value in food manufacturing industries and traditional food preparations. Even though, it is known for its superior health benefits, provision of essential nutrients, and wider application in functional food development it is among the most underutilized crop in the world. Additionally, majority of studies conducted on garden cress seeds are mainly animal trials and hence needs to conduct studies on human. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to provide up to date research evidence on the nutrient composition and therapeutic use of underutilized garden cress seeds and its functional food products, promising for the prevention of non-communicable and communicable diseases. Graphical Abstract

Introduction. Dried beef meat is a major source of essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins that are digestible and absorbable, thus could be a potential source of nutrients in complementary food formulations. Composition, microbial safety, and organ function tests were analyzed, and histopathological effect of air-dried beef meat powder was determined in rat model. Methods. Three groups of diets were given for the three groups of animals: (1) standard rat diet, (2) meat powder+standard rat diet (1 : 1 formulation), and (3) dried meat powder. A total of 36 Wistar albino rats (18 males and 18 females) of 4-8 weeks old were used and randomly assigned to the experiments. After acclimatization for one week, the experimental rats were followed for 30 days. Microbial analysis, nutrient composition, organ histopathology (liver and kidney), and organ function tests were conducted from serum samples taken from the animals. Results. Protein, fat, fiber, ash, utilizable carbohydrate, and energy contents of meat powder on a dry weight basis were 76.12 ± 3.68 , 8.19 ± 2.01 , 0.56 ± 0.38 , 6.45 ± 1.21 , 2.79 ± 0.38   g / 100   g , and 389.30 ± 3.25   kcal / 100   g , respectively. Meat powder could be also a potential source of minerals such as potassium ( 766.16 ± 77.26   mg / 100   g ), phosphorus ( 150.35 ± 16.26   mg / 100   g ), calcium ( 18.15 ± 7.80   mg / 100   g ), zinc ( 3.82 ± 0.10   mg / 100   g ), and sodium ( 123.76 ± 32.71   mg / 100   g ). Food intakes were lower in MP group compared to the others. According to organ histopathology results, animals fed with the diet have shown normal values, except rise in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine kinase (CK) in groups fed with meat powder. The results of organ function tests were all within the acceptable ranges and comparable with their counterpart control groups. However, some of the microbial contents of the meat powder were not within the recommended level. Conclusion. Dried meat powder has a higher amount of nutrients, which would be a potential recipe in complementary food preparation that can support to reduce child malnutrition. However, further studies need to be conducted on the sensory acceptability of formulated complementary foods containing dried meat powder; also, clinical trials are aimed at observing the effect of dried meat powder on child linear growth.