2003 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Clinical nutrition studies to quantitate the input of diet on risk of chrome diseases are needed as a basis for dietary recommendations. Although the results of human nutrition research have shed some important information about diet and health, the exact relationship is not known, and the results of this research have clearly indicated that the importance of a healthy diet in maintaining health cannot be underestimated. A key question that this project addresses is the role of diet and its components to improve biomarkers and health parameters that are associated with a lowered risk of disease and improved health and vigor. This project provides the crucially needed administrative and medical support for the Human Study Facility of the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, through a cooperative agreement with Johns Hopkins University. By having such support, we are able to conduct human feeding studies on free-living subjects. 2.How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? The relationship between diet and health is very important. It is estimated that as much as 70% of human cancers can be affected by diet, and diet plays a major role in development of other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Obesity and its consequences are a major source of concern in this country. Through research, it is hoped that we can offer the best possible dietary advice to avoid costly and devastating disease in the American population. 3.How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? This project relates to almost all aspects of National Program 107 - Human Nutrition Requirements, Food Composition, and Intake. In particular, the human studies that are supported by this project involve studies of bioavailability of nutrients in foods, studies of the health promoting properties food, definition of nutrient requirements, and the relationship between diet, diversity, and risks for chronic diseases. 4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment During FY 2003: This research was conducted because chronic degenerative diseases are responsible for millions of deaths each year and cost millions of dollars each year. An intervention study was conducted at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center to determine the effect of black tea consumption on risk factors of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The results indicate an improved lipoprotein profile after consumption of black tea, but no major improvement in oxidative stress. The results of this research will provide a basis for dietary recommendations that could improve the health of many individuals at risk for a variety of diseases. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s), if any: None. C. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: None. D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between the Agricultural Research Service and Johns Hopkins University. Additional details of research can be found in the reports for the following projects: CRIS 1235-51000-042-00D, "Quantifying Nutrient Metabolism with Mathematical Modeling;" CRIS 1235-51000-043-00D, "Estimation of Energy Intake and Physical Activity in Free-Living Adults;" CRIS 1235-51000-040-00D, "Metabolism of Dietary Vitamin A and Carotenoids;" CRIS 1235-51000-045-00D, "Health Benefits of Diets High in Barley and Oats;" CRIS 1235-51530-005-00D, "Dietary Fatty Acids and Other Nutrients and Modulation of Risk Factors for CVD and Cancer;" CRIS 1235-51530-006-00D, "Diet, Genetics, Lifestyle and the Prevention of Obesity and Disease;" and CRIS 1235-51520-036-00D, "Carotenoids from Foods: Bioavailability, Transport and Antioxidant Activity." 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. The role of this project will provide new and important information on the role of diet and nutrients in improving human health. The information that will be obtained will be useful in developing new and improved dietary advice and guidance. 6.What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? We plan to conduct additional studies on the role of phytonutrients in promoting health and additional studies are planned to study the relationship between caloric restriction and improved health. 7.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? None 8.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: This does not replace your peer-reviewed publications listed below). None