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Leek was fertilized with sodium selenite (Na(2)SeO(3)) and sodium selenate (Na(2)SeO(4)) in a green house to assess the impact of selenium (Se) fertilization on Se uptake by the crop and its speciation in the crop. The bioaccessibility of Se in the Se-enriched leek was assessed using an in vitro extraction protocol mimicking the human gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, and colon). The lowest Se uptake was observed when Na(2)SeO(3) was used as a fertilizer, which results in a higher risk for Se accumulation in the soil on a longer term. When soil was amended with Na(2)SeO(4), 55 ± 5% of total Se in the leek occurred in an inorganic form, while only 21 ± 8% was inorganic when Na(2)SeO(3) was applied. Se-methylselenocysteine and selenomethione were the major organic species in both treatments. However, concentrations of Se-methylselenocysteine and γ-glutamyl-Se-methyl-selenocysteine, which were previously reported to induce positive health effects, were lower as compared to other Allium species. The majority of the Se in the leek was found to be bioaccessible in the stomach (around 60%) and small intestine (around 80%). However, a significant fraction also has good chances to reach the colon, where it seems to be taken up by the microbial community and may also induce positive health effects.

Background. Foods rich in protein and dietary fibre could potentially improve lipid profile in overweight or obese diabetic patients with dyslipidemia and, thereby, mitigate their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, the effect of providing high-protein high-fibre (HPHF) nutritional supplement in addition to standard care of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on lipid profile was evaluated. Methods. In this open-label, parallel-arm, prospective, randomized study, a total of 100 overweight/obese participants with T2DM were randomized to either an intervention group (25 g HPHF nutritional supplement given twice daily along with a standard care of T2DM) or a control group (standard care of T2DM) for 24 weeks. Change from baseline in lipid parameters such as total cholesterol (TChol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) was assessed between the intervention and control group at week 12 and week 24. Participant compliance was assessed using the dietary 24-hour recall. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the main effects on within- and between-group changes from baseline to end of 24 weeks. Results. Participants in the HPHF nutritional supplement group showed a statistically significant improvement in HDL-C levels by the end of 24 weeks ( p = 0.04 ) and a significant increase in protein and total dietary fibre intake ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.00 , respectively) compared to the control group. The TChol/HDL-C ratio was significantly lower ( p = 0.03 ) in the HPHF group from baseline to 24 weeks. Conclusion. Twice-daily consumption of a HPHF nutritional supplement significantly improved HDL-C levels. Inclusion of the HPHF supplement would be a useful effective aid for managing dyslipidemia in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM.

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Bacopa monnieri is commonly known as "Brahmi" or "Water hyssop" and is a source of nootropic drugs. Aboveground parts of plant samples collected from peri-urban Indian areas were analysed for total trace metal concentrations. Subsequently, three samples with high concentrations of Cd and Pb were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to assess the bioaccessibility of the trace metals in these plants. The total concentrations of trace metals on a dry weight basis were 1.3 to 6.7 mg·kg⁻¹ Cd, 1.5 to 22 mg·kg⁻¹ Pb, 36 to 237 mg·kg⁻¹ Cu, and 78 to 186 mg·kg⁻¹ Zn. The majority of Bacopa monnieri samples exceeded threshold limits of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn for use as raw medicinal plant material or direct consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate Bacopa monnieri collected in nature for their trace metal content prior to human consumption and preparation of herbal formulations.