Investigating the role of natural phyto-oestrogens on bone health in postmenopausal women

Research on the bone effects of natural phyto-oestrogens after menopause is at a relatively early stage. Published studies are few, difficult to compare and often inconclusive, due in part to design weaknesses. Currently, many questions remain to be answered including to what extent a safe daily intake may prevent postmenopausal bone loss. These...

Biomonitoring the intake of garlic via urinary excretion of allyl mercapturic acid

Allium vegetables (onions, leeks, chives) and in particular garlic have been claimed to have health-promoting potential. This study was conducted to get insight into the perspectives for monitoring the intake of garlic by a biomarker approach. Chemically, the bimarker results from exposure to gamma-glutamyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine, which is first...

The Dutch Folic Acid Campaign: Have the goals been achieved?

Periconceptional folic acid use considerably reduces the risk of neural tube defects. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of the national and the local 'Folic Acid Campaign' on periconceptional folic acid use. Before (1995 survey) and 1 year after the campaign (1996 survey), the awareness and use of folic acid was measured among...

Do patients matter? Contribution of patient and care provider characteristics to the adherence of general practitioners and midwives to the Dutch national guidelines on imminent miscarriage

Objective - To assess the relative contribution of patient and care provider characteristics to the adherence of general practitioners (GPs) and midwives to two specific recommendations in the Dutch national guidelines on imminent miscarriage. The study focused on performing physical examinations at the first contact and making a follow up...

Psychological responses to the needle-free Medi-Jectorρ or the multidose Disetronicρ injection pen in human growth hormone therapy

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that daily administration of growth hormone using the Medi-Jector® results in fewer adverse psychological responses than needle injection with a multidose injection pen. The Medi-Jector is a needle-free injection device that can deliver growth hormone subcutaneously through jet injection. The group...