Effects of Food Tocotrienol Substances on Serum

Cholesterol level of Adult (Premenopausal) Women

Consuming Fast Food (Hamburger) in Developed

City (Owerri) of Imo State, Nigeria.

By

*Onyeneke EstherBen: email:

estyninika@gmail.com,

Asinobi, C2.O email coasinobi@yahoo.com

Christopher.Njoku2: email

adonjoku1@yahoo.com

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Imo State

University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.1&2

Abstract; Topic Area; Nutrition and Health

Education)

Contents.

-Abstract

-Introduction

-Fast foods and baked goods (Hamburger)

-Food habits and consumption

-Dietary fatty acids and cholesterol

-Clinical and Dietary traits

-Tocopherols, Tocotrienols , Vit E and other antioxidants

-Plants potential and health benefits

-Avocado pears (Florida and Carlifonia)

-Biochemical and Nutritional composition of avocado

Abstract; Topic Area; Nutrition and Health Education) For Oral Presentation

The level of serum cholesterol of premenopausal women consuming fast

food (Hamburger) in developed city of Imo State, Nigeria were investigated. Twelve

Women each of twenty five years and above were fed for 6 weeks each with

Hamburger(stuffed with mayonnaise).Another 6weeks,they were fed with food

tocotrienol(Avocado pear) anti cholesterol substance and its effect monitored on

Cholesterol level, Body weight measurement, Body Mass Index and Height

respectively. This study aimed at determining the feeding habits and cholesterol levels

of individuals of different socio economic class especially premenopausal women. It

also tried to find out cholesterol level content of fast foods and effects of cholesterol

lowering by anti cholesterol substances (food tocotrienol avocado pear). . The

parameters were determined using randomly selected individuals of different

occupation and lifestyle but within the described age limit.Data was obtained from

them through questionnaire, Oral method and dietary list. The result of the anti

cholesterol substance (avocado pear) for another six (6) weeks showed a significant

decrease (p>0.05) in cholesterol level(175.33mg/100ml-126.35mg/100ml) for the

experimental group and (145.00-116mg/100ml) for the control group respectively. The

cholesterol lowering effect of tocotrienol suggests potential health benefits that justify

further investigations. This study therefore aims at determining the feeding habits and

cholesterol levels of individuals especially premenopausal (Adult) women and effect of

cholesterol lowering of food tocotrienol (avocado pear) on women that consumed fast

food.

Key words; Cholesterol, fastfood, tocotrienol, and Adult female lifestyles.

-consumers rely on packaged and processed foods for convenience.

-Fastfoods as diets of many Nigerians,( Owerri municipal.)

-Fastfoods snacks ( cakes ,doughnut ,meat pies biscuits, hamburger etc)\ has gained

popularity in Nigeria(Natural Academy of science,2002).

-uncontrolled snacking contributes to over-consumption of energy and may favour weight

gain in predisposed individuals. Popular belief is that snacks are typically high in fat and

therefore “fattening”( Lasekan and Akintola (2002),

-Baked goods and fried fastfoods are made with partially hydrogenated fat and are high in

transfatty acids leading to high cholesterol level (Litin and Sacks, 2009).

Focus has been on effects of dietary fatty acids and on the concentration of serum

cholesterol.

-Medium chain fatty acids, soluble fibre and dietary cholesterol have been attributed to

exposure to coronary heart disease and high concentration of serum low density

lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration which affects individual’s mechanism with

substances like polysterols, tocotrienol, arginine and antioxidant, vitamins.

-increasing incidence of coronary heart disease in Africa and a number of factors have

contributed to this such as dietary habit, western life style and nature of occupation.

- Clinical and dietary traits have also suggested a reduction in the incidence of coronary

heart disease by lowering serum cholesterol levels( Taylor (2001).

- Women have more chest pain than men for non cardiac reasons such as cholelithian

(gallstones), costochondritis (ribs inflammation) and less frequent heart disease in women

can have deadly consequences (Judelson, 2011).

-Dietary cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acid with 14,16 and 12

carbon raise serum cholesterol.

-The polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) lowers serum

cholesterol (Judelson, 2011).

Tocotrienols

-(anti cholesterol substances)from plant materials(Avocado pear,

soyabean oil, palm oil ) (Hegsted, 2013).

-Chemically related to tocopherols in cholesterol lowering

effect(James, 2001).

-Fruits and vegetables (chemical powerhouses ) produce unique

and complex organic compounds which many are biologically

active e.g.phytates,carotenes,polysterols, tocotrienols, saponins,

waxes etc( Litin and Sacks,2009)

- Belong to vit E group of and are far more potent than common

forms of tocopherols.

-Significant difference in chemical structure which vitamin E is a

generic term for both tocopherols and tocotrienols.

-Recent advances in isolation and purification technology to

obtain high quality tocotrienols from (crude oil, rice bran oil,

avocado pear, soybean oil, cashew oil and other natural

sources)

American Hamburger

-Avocados have Fifty six (56) different

varieties(Florida and California).

Avocados 25% unsaturated fat, it

contains only 138 calories ,fair amount

of vitamin A, C, and B(Barron,2007).

-Has advantages in its nutritional and

biochemical composition(Shopbell et

al.,2001)

-Contains linoleic acid (polyunsaturated

fatty acid) highly digestible and reduces

blood cholesterol level thus the

incidence level of heart diseases when

compared to animal fats(Bergh,2000)

Images for Avocado pearReport images

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- Adult female food pattern and lifestyle (Owerri, Imo

State,Nigeria) was found distorted version of the

food guide pyramid (Kantor and Allshouse, 2000).

-Diary and calcium rich food consumption is half of

the recommended amount for too many unhealthy

fats and sugars consumed.This has resulted to

escalating rates of obesity among female adult

(premenopausal) in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

-Almost 60% of female adults who have sedentary

life style are overweight or underweight .Adults’

socio models influence food skipping, food

preparation and the frequency of sit down meals in a

home environment.

- No safe level of transfat consumption, no adequate

level of recommendation, and daily tolerable amount

since any incremental increase in transfat intake

increases risk of coronary heart disease.

METHODOLOGY

Nigeria is a country with a land mass of about 923,768 sq km. The country shares

borders with Niger in the north, Benin and Cameroon in the east and west

respectively. The country lies between latitudes 4o and 14o North of the equator and

longitudes 3o and 15o East of Greenwich.

. Nigeria has diverse biophysical characteristics, ethnic nationalities, agro-ecological

zones and socio-economic conditions. It has evolved over time and space in terms of

administrative structures and nature of governance. Imo state is one of the thirty

Six(36) states in Nigeria with its capital Owerri .Imo State is located in the south-

eastern part of Nigeria.

Samples of adult (premenopausal) women of different occupation and lifestyle were

randomly selected from Owerri metropolis, in Imo State, Nigeria. Data was obtained

from them through primary source of data collected through well structured

questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of weight and heights, skin fold

parameters. Also, 24 hr food list of all other foods that the women consumed

irrespective of their food preferences during the 6 weeks period of study were

recorded to check the effect of feeding pattern and its relationship with cholesterol

level according to standard procedures of WHO(2000) and the mean values

obtained.

- Also, serum blood samples were obtained from the selected individuals for

cholesterol analysis according to the standard procedures of Zak and Henley (1999).

All the sample collection, preparation and analysis were done at the medical science

laboratory, faculty of health sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Proximate Analysis :

-Normal seize hamburgers(stuffed with

mayonnaise, (Control) with only vegetables

-Avocado pear (Both species)(moisture content,

crude fat, crude protein, starch determination,

minerals by standard method of A.O.A.C.(1990) at

Food science and Technology laboratory Imo State

University Owerri, Imo State Nigeria and the

nutrient content on dry basis were ascertained.

DATA ANALYSIS;

Student T test was used to determine the differences between

the cholesterol level, anthropometric measurements and BMI

before and after feeding programmes.

Also T test was used to determine the relationship between the

hamburger consumption and the cholesterol level of the women

as well as the relationship between cholesterol level and body

weight.BMI of the women.

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RESULTS;

Table1; Shows proximate composition of hamburgers

stuffed with mayonnaise.Result shows significant difference

(p>0.05) for protein (0.010), cholesterol (0.005) and fat

content (0.046) only on dry basis. Result indicated over 60%

of individualized population in urban areas exhibit cholesterol

greater than described as a result of some factors like dietary

habit, western life style and nature of occupation

(Taylor,2001).

The works of NAS (2002) and Lasekan and Akintola

(2002) reveals that food intake irrespective of age leads

to increase in weight gain and cholesterol level.

Uncontrollable snacking may contribute to over

consumption of energy which favours weight gain in

predisposed individuals.

Proximate Composition of Hamburgers stuffed with mayonnaise purchased from Fast food joints(Sunnic and Mr Biggs)

in Owerri ,Imo State Nigeria.

Nurtrients Hamburger Mean +S.D T-ratio P Value

(Dry Basis

LSD

Sunnic 5 14.600 0.97 3.38 0.010

Protein(g) Mr Biggs 5 12.90 0.57

Sunnic 5 30.50 1.35 3.79 0.005

Cholesterol(mg) Mr Biggs 5 26.50 1.94

Energy(KJ) Mr biggs 5 1182.90 36.90

Sunnic 5 12.13 1.22 2.34 0.05

Fat(g) Mr Biggs 5 13.50 0.42

Sunnic 5 514.00 19.81 0.77 0.46

Sodium(mg) Mr Biggs 5 504.00 21.26

Sunnic 5 27.00 2.19 0.25 0.81

Carbohydrate(g) Mr Biggs 5 27.30 1.48

Sunnic 5 275.57 17.49 0.77 0.47

Energy(Kcal) Mr biggs 5 282.30 8.78

Sunnic 5 1156.01 73.12 0.73 0.48

Table 2; Nutrient composition of the avocado species. Result showed no

significant difference (p<0.005) on the cholesterol content (0.000) of the avocado

pears while Florida specie had significant difference (p>0.05) on the mean values of

protein content(5.000g) weight (304g),carbohydrate and energy (1382kcal and

1543kj respectively) more than the California.

However, California avocado had fat content (30g), while Florida had fat content

(27g) significant difference existed (p>0.05) in their fat content.

Both species had no cholesterol (0.0000).

-Avocado has advantages in its nutritional and biochemical composition as it

contains linoleic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid which is highly digestible and

reduces blood cholesterol level that could expose individuals to incidence of heart

disease when compared to animal fats. It is widely available and affordable

(Shopbell et al.,2001)

Further works revealed plant foods inhibit absorption of both endogenous and

exogenous cholesterol (polysterols and tocotrienols)(Willet et al.,2008)

Nutrients

Avocado samples

(Medium sieze) N Mean +S.D T-ratio P Value

Carlifornia 5 4.00 0.58

3.12

0.01

Protein(g) Florida 5 5.00 0.42

Carlifornia 5 0.00 0.00a

Cholesterol(mg) Florida 5 0.00 0.00a

Carlifornia 5 173.00 5.57 25.99 0.00

Weight(g) Florida 5 304.00 9.80

Carlifornia 5 30.00 1.95 2.05 0.07

Fat(g) Florida 5 31.00 1.98 2.09 0.05

Carbohydrate(g) Carlifornia 5 12.00 1.18 17.31 0.00

Florida 5 27.00 1.54

Carlifornia 5 334.00 15.91 2.59 0.03

Energy(Kcal) Florida 5 371.00 27.70

Carlifornia 5 1382.00 65.28 2.73 0.03

Energy(KJ) Florida 5 1543.00 114.53

Table 2; Nutrient Composition of the Avocado Species.

Table3; Shows Anthropometric results of the fed samples Adult women,

Result showed that there were no significant differences(p<0.05) in the mean

values of the serum cholesterol(175.33mg),body mass index(25.03g) and body

weight(64.08kg) in both the experimental and control group of the women fed with

hamburger stuffed with mayonnaise.

However, significant difference (p>0.05) existed between the control and the

experimental group after the feeding in all the parameters. Hence consumption of

fat food increases cholesterol content, body mass index and body weight.

Lasekan and Akintola (2002) reported that fast food are characterized for their low

nutritional value and high fat and calorie contents.Chubby woman sitting on a

giant hamburger

Again, NAS (2002) conforms that transfat may

increase weight gain and abdominal fat deposit

which is high in cholesterol and increases in

transfat and fat deposit in the body that favours

weight gain, this could be the partially

hydrogenated fat used in the preparation of the

fast food.

Parameter

Serum Cholesterol

Experimental

Group

(mg/100ml) Control group T-Value

P

Value

Before 135.91± 23.37 144.30±19.56 0.90 0.38

After 175.33 ± 25.26 145.00 ± 19.88 3.08 0.01

T-Value 3.967

P-Value 0.01

Body Mass Index (Kg/m2)

Before 24.32± 12.32 19.65±6.85

1.06 0.30

After 25.03± 11.35 20.15± 5.68 1.06 0.30

T-Value 0.142

P-Value 0.888

Body Weight (Kg)

Before 62.33 ± 5.97 61.50 ± 6.20

0.24 0.80

After 64.08 ± 6.31 62.10 ± 4.60 0.32 0.75

T-Value 0.69

P-Value 0.49

Table 3; Mean Serum Cholesterol Level, Body Mass Index and Body Weight of

Adult Premenopausal women before and after Hamburger feeding.

Table 4; shows biochemical and physical characteristics..Result Showed that significant

difference existed (p>0.05) for premenopausal women that consumed fast food in the biochemical

and physical means characteristics after the 6weeks intake of anti cholesterol food tocotrienol

(avocado).Also significant difference existed (p>0.05) between the standard deviations and control

groups.There were remarkable reductions of the parameters in both the control and the experimental

group irrespective of their feeding pattern but in relation to their occupation.

Hence, after avocado intake mean values of serum cholesterol for the experimental group(175.33-

126.35mg/100g) and (145.00-116mg/100ml),BMI(62.33-64.08kg/m2) and (25.03-24.96kg/ m2)

respectively and body weight( 64.05-57.50kg) of the experimental group.

Plant foods polysterols and tocotrienols have the ability to inhibit absorption of both endogenous

cholesterol ( Willet et al.,2008)

Tocotreinols are chemically related to tocopherols and they help in lowering serum cholesterol(James

2001)

Ene –Obong (2011) and Newsletter (2005) reported that more than 64% of Adult female in Owerri

urban are either over weight or underweight due to large proportion seizes and increased

consumption of fatty foods coupled with sedentary life style which are linked to increasing obesity and

other chronic health challenging diseases.

Parameter Experimental Group Control group T-Value P Value

Serum Cholesterol (mg/100ml) (mg/100ml)

Before 175.33 ± 25.26 145.00 ± 3.08 0.01

After 126.35 ± 10.48 116.00 ±10.48 2.60 0.02

T-Value 0.025

P-Value 0.981 1.06 0.30

Body Mass Index (Kg/m2)

Before 25.03 ± 12.75 20.15± 7.64 1.06 0.28

After 24.96 ± 12.51 18.89±7.52

T-Value 0.130

P-Value 0.898

Body Weight (Kg)

Before 64.05 ± 6.31 62.10 ± 4.60 0.32

0.75

After 57.50 ± 5.60 61.50 ± 6.20 0.24

0.80

P-Value 0.53

Table 4; Mean Serum Cholesterol Level, Body Mass Index and Body Weight of Adult

Premenopausal women consumption of anti –cholesterol (Avocado Pear) food.

N/B; Normal Cholesterol Level below 200mg/100ml

At risk Cholesterol Level= above 200mg/100ml

Very active- Occupation like hard manual labourers etc

Active Class –Hawkers etc

Mildly Active –Market Sellers, etc

Low active-drivers, Teachers, market women etc

Sedentary- Bankers, pool clerks, office secretaries etc.

CONCLUSION; Constant eruption of fastfood joint, fatty

foods consumption and adoption of western lifestyle

(individual’s low active class), poor feeding habit have

exposed Individuals in Owerri urban (low active class )to high

intake of transfatty foods(Snacks).

Food tocotrienols (Avocado pear) and tocopherol substances

consumption reveals reduction effect of tocotrienol(avocado)

as an anticholesterol food, thereby reducing exposure to other

cholesterol related diseases.

RECOMMENDATION; Results achieved were appreciated

.More studies and investigations are recommended.

Individuals (Women) should address their dietary intake,

physical body activity and proper utilization of food

tocotrienol and tocopherol substances for a potential healthy

habit.

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