Helen S. Mitchell

Helen S. Mitchell Helen Swift Mitchell (September 21, 1895 - December 12, 1984) was an American biochemist, physiologist, and nutritionist. She was the author or co-author of more than 70 articles and became the senior co-author of the standard textbook Nutrition in Health and Disease, which was in print for more than 50 years and sold more than a million copies. Quotes A previous publication reported the occurrence of Cataract cataractous changes in the eyes of all rats fed on rations containing lactose as the chief source of carbohydrate. Negative results with other carbohydrates tested led to an investigation of galactose as the next logical step. This sugar was fed to young rats at 35% and 25% levels corresponding to the galactose available from the 70% and 50% lactose rations fed in previous experiments.Four rats on the 35% galactose ration developed mature bilateral cataract in 12, 14, 14, and 37 days respectively (average 19 days), whereas those on the 25% galactose ration were somewhat more delayed. The average time for the development of mature bilateral cataract in 49 rats fed the 70% lactose ration was 10 weeks, approximately 4 times as long. Controls fed on the 70% starch ration showed no eye changes. Experimental Biology and Medicine March 1935 Cataract in Rats Fed on Galactose 32 6 971–973 10.3181/00379727-32-7927 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3181/00379727-32-7927 (quote from p. 971) ... Even minor Malnutrition nutritional limitations during the growing period may prevent full potential growth from being attained. ...Growth potential is not a thing that can be speeded up and lowed down and still obtain the same end results. According to Isabella Leitch Leitch ..., if one does not use the full potential alI the way along, one does not achieve full development. The same ultimate weight may be reached but not the ideal shape and composition. If the rate of growth is sufficiently slowed down, the adult is not only smalI but under-developed with normal or nearly normal head size, moderately retarded trunk and relatively short legs. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 40 6 June 1962 521–524 Nutrition in Relation to Stature 10.1016/S0002-8223(21)15915-2 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002822321159152 (quote from p. 521) Remember that there were no Reference Daily Intake Recommended Dietary Allowances in the 1920's, and every nutritionist had to depend on a few recognized authorities for estimates of Protein (nutrient) protein needs of children. In 1923, Graham Lusk Lusk called attention ... to the protein needs for optimal growth in rats which he estimated to be about 15 per cent of the calories. He contrasted that with Breast milk human milk which provides only 7 per cent of the calories in the form of protein, to provide for the growth of the infant. He also emphasized what Thomas Burr Osborne (chemist) Osborne and Lafayette Mendel Mendel had demonstrated earlier that animal proteins were more efficient for growth than plant proteins. Protein limitation and human growth Journal of the American Dietetic Association March 1964 44 3 165–172 https://www.sciencedirect.com/sdfe/pdf/download/eid/1-s2.0-S0002822321193824/first-page-pdf 14133332 (quote from p. 165) External links Ogilvie, Marilyn Bailey & Harvey, Joy Dorothy The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science: L-Z Taylor & Francis 2000 0415920388 Mitchell, Helen Swift https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Biographical_Dictionary_of_Women_in.html?id=LTSYePZvSXYC&pg=PA901 901 Category:1895 births Category:1984 deaths Category:Women academics from the United States Category:Chemists from the United States Category:Biochemists Category:Women chemists Category:People from Connecticut Category:Women born in the 19th century Category:Yale University alumni