South African Medical Journal - Volume 49, Issue 40, September 1975

Formerly reported by analysts as being present as 'traces', the minute amounts of many elements present in plant and animal materials can now be detected and estimated with a remarkable degree of sensitivity and accuracy.

Cortisol and growth hormone concentrations in the plasma were determined in 26 children with kwashiorkor, 13 with marasmus, and 21 controls.

The 'irritable bowel syndrome' is a disorder of civilisation, in which a low-residue fibre-deficient diet is probably the major aetiological factor.

A number of species of fungi were isolated from millet (Pennisetum typhoides Stapf & Hubb) and grain sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers) obtained from the households of patients suffering from onyalai.

Evidence is presented showing that vitamin C has definite effects on lipid metabolism.

By means of a novel technique for direct intravenous infusion of free fatty acids (FFA) into conscious dogs, it was found that the elevation of FFA levels in normal animals leads to a marked increase in insulin release and to a decrease in plasma glucose concentration.

The dry matter digestibility (DMD) of sifted granulated maize meal and the digestibility of the protein in yellow haricot beans were determined in intact and caecectomised rats.

The nutritive value of dietary proteins depends on, inter alia the degree of correspondence between the essential amino acid (EAA) content of the protein and the EAA requirements of the animal in question.