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Objective:To investigate the intake of plant sterols and identify major dietary sources of plant sterols in the British diet.Subjects:A total of 24 798 men and women recruited during 1993–1997, participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk).Interventions:A database of the plant sterol (campesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campestanol and β-sitostanol) content in foods, based on gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) analyses, was linked to nutritional intake data from food frequency questionnaires in the EPIC-Norfolk population.Results:The mean (s.d.) intake of total plant sterols was 300 (108) mg/d for men and 293 (100) mg/d for women. Bread and other cereals, vegetables and added fats were the three major food sources of plant sterols representing 18.6 (8.9), 18.4 (8.5) and 17.3 (10.4)% of the total plant sterol intake respectively. Women had a higher plant sterol density than men (36.4 vs 32.8 mg/1000 kJ, P<0.001) and in relation to energy intake higher intakes of plant sterols from vegetables, bread and other cereals, added fats, fruits and mixed dishes (all P<0.001), whilst men had higher intakes of plant sterols from cakes, scones and chocolate, potatoes (all P<0.001) and other foods (P<0.01).Conclusions:The intake of plant sterols in UK, mainly from bread, cereals, fats and vegetables, is much higher than previously reported but comparable to recent European studies.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 695–703; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602765; published online 18 April 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Residential care homes (RCHs) are increasingly becoming a common place of death for older people., Aim: The aim of this study was to describe family members' experiences of care of the dying in RCHs where the Liverpool care pathway for the dying patient was used., Methods: This study had a descriptive qualitative study design. Fifteen (n=15) individual interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis., Results: The analysis resulted in three themes: being confident in a familiar and warm atmosphere, being involved vs not being involved in end-of-life (EoL) care, and being consoled by witnessing the health professional's endeavour to relieve suffering., Significance of Results: The results indicated that taking part in a care plan seems to increase family members' feelings of involvement in EoL care. This study also highlights the family members' needs for increased possibilities for EoL discussions with the GP.