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.

1. 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)

2. 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

3. 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.

4. -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).

5. -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

6. -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)
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7. - 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.
More similar stock images of `Heart
Attack Caused by Cholesterol`
More images
Atherosclerosis in artery caused
by
cholesterol plaque
Atherosclerosis in artery Atherosclerosis stages in artery
Cholesterol
Anatomy of heart attack

11. Cholesterol plaque in artery Lipoproteins of the blood
Human Heart Coronary Problem. Cholesterol plaque built up in
artery (atherosclerosis).
Damaged heart caused fat eating Blood Circulation Danger

12. 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).

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

24. 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.

25. REFERENCES;
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26. Thank You for
listening!!!