Adequate Intake Of Vitamin Research Articles

Abstract 14937: Depressive Symptoms Were Not Associated With Cardiac Event-free Survival in Heart Failure Patients With Adequate Intake of Vitamin D

Introduction. Low levels of vitamin D and severe depressive symptoms have been associated with increased proinflammatory cytokines that predict cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the relationships among depressive symptoms, vitamin D deficiency, and cardiac events in patients with heart failure (HF). Hypothesis. We hypothesized that the link of depressive symptoms to cardiac event-free survival would differ between patients with vitamin D adequacy and deficiency. Methods. A total of 232 patients with HF (age 66±8 years, 34% female) completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess depressive symptoms and were split into 2 groups using the standard PHQ-9 cutoff point of 10. Nutrition Analysis program was used to determine average daily intake of vitamin D through a 3-day food diary. Patients with > 85% probability of deficiency were defined as having a diet deficient in vitamin D. Covariate data on age, gender, body mass index, NYHA class, ejection fraction, comorbidities, and prescribed medications were obtained from review of medical records. Patients were followed for 2 years to determine time to first event of hospitalization or death. Hierarchical Cox proportional regression was used to examine our hypothesis. Results. 106 patients (46%) had depressive symptoms and 116 patients (50%) had vitamin D deficiency. During 2 years, 88 patients (38%) were hospitalized or died due to cardiac problems. Depressive symptoms were associated with vitamin D deficiency ( X 2 =4.45, p = .035). In patients with vitamin D deficiency, depressive symptoms (HR=2.56, 95% CI=1.28-5.21) predicted shorter event-free survival after controlling for all covariates, whereas there was no difference in cardiac event-free survival between patients with depressive symptoms and no depressive symptoms in patients with vitamin D adequacy ( p = .185) . Conclusions. The data suggest that depressive symptoms were not associated with cardiac event-free survival in HF patients with adequate intake of vitamin D. Future study is required to determine whether vitamin D adequacy could play a protective role in the impact of depressive symptoms on cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF.

Economic growth and the demand for dietary quality: Evidence from Russia during transition

The increasing incidence of nutrition-related chronic diseases worldwide has raised people's awareness of dietary quality. Most existing studies on the topic of changing nutrition patterns measure dietary quality by single macronutrient indicators or anthropometric outcomes. However, such an approach is often too narrow to provide a picture of overall dietary quality and is sometimes even misleading. This study contributes to the existing literature by taking into account that the analysis of dietary quality comprises two dimensions: the adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, as well as the moderate intake of nutrients that increase the risk of chronic diseases. Thereby, we apply Grossman's health investment model to the analysis of the demand for dietary quality, explicitly addressing the different dimensions of dietary quality and the intertemporal character of health investments. We apply our approach to Russia using data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey from 1996 to 2008. Our results show that intake levels of vitamins and minerals as well as saturated and total fatty acids increased after 1998 along with economic recovery, while the intake of fiber decreased. Our econometric results imply an income elasticity of vitamins and minerals of 0.051, and an income elasticity of fats of 0.073. Overall, our results are in line with an ongoing nutrition transition in the Russian Federation, which is marked by decreasing deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, as well as the increasing consumption of fats with its accompanying negative health consequences.

Intake of vitamins D and K, and their impact on health in female population

Vitamins D and K are essential for maintaining bone and its deficiency has been associated with several chronic diseases. To know the intake of vitamins D and K in female population and analyze their involvement on health. Literature research regarding the topic. Intake of vitamin D in the Spanish female population from 17 to 60 years is lower than the estimated average requirement in the 95.5% of the studied participants and 30.2% of the Spanish population does not meet the established adequate intake for vitamin K. Several studies have emphasized the importance of maintaining optimal nutrition status of vitamin D for its role in the maintenance of bone, but also for its involvement in body weight control and prevention of diseases (cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer). Vitamin K deficiency is also associated with decreased bone density and increased cardiovascular risk besides exerting a protective effect against type 2 diabetes. In female population, the intake of vitamin K, but especially vitamin D, is often lower than recommended. Since a worse nutritional status in these vitamins is associated with damage in bone health, weight control, as well as an increased risk of several diseases, it seems appropriate to monitor and improve their intake.

Are the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Vitamins Appropriate for Elderly People?

BackgroundAn adequate vitamin intake is essential for a good nutritional status, especially in older women, who are more sensitive to nutritional deficiencies. The American, European and Italian Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) derive mainly from studies on adults, and it is not clear whether they also apply to elderly people. Comparing the RDAs with the actual vitamin intake of a group of healthy older women could help to clarify the real needs of elderly people. ObjectiveOur aim was to compare the American, European, and Italian RDAs with the actual vitamin intake of a group of healthy older women. DesignThis was a cross-sectional study. ParticipantsThe study included 286 healthy women aged older than 65 years. Main outcome measuresFor each micronutrient, the 50th percentile of the distribution of its intake was considered as the average requirement, and the corresponding calculated RDA for our sample was the average requirement×1.2, as recommended by the US Food and Nutrition Board. This calculated RDA was then compared with the American, European, and Italian RDAs. Statistical analyses performedStudent’s t test or the Mann-Whitney test (after checking the normal distribution of the micronutrient) for continuous variables; the χ2 test for categorical variables. ResultsThe calculated RDA were 2,230 μg retinol equivalents for vitamin A, 2.8 μg for vitamin B-12, 0.9 mg for thiamin, 1.4 mg for riboflavin, 3.6 mg for pantothenic acid, 1.4 mg for vitamin B-6, 320 μg for folic acid, and 115 mg for vitamin C. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the current RDAs are adequate for older women’s intake of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, and folic acid, but should be raised for vitamin B-12 and for vitamin C.

REMOVED: Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that vegetarian diets can provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain health conditions, including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Well-designed vegetarian diets that may include fortified foods or supplements meet current nutrient recommendations and are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Vegetarians must use special care to ensure adequate intake of vitamin B-12. Vegetarian diets are primarily plant-based, comprised of grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruit; do not include flesh foods (beef, pork, poultry and fowl, wild game, and fish); and may or may not include some animal products, such as dairy (milk and milk products), eggs, and processed foods that contain casein or whey. Although vegetarians may have a higher deficiency risk for some nutrients (eg, vitamin B-12) compared to nonvegetarians, nutritional deficiencies are not the main causes of mortality or morbidity in Western societies. Vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancer; low-fat vegetarian diets, in combination with other healthy lifestyle factors, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of these diseases. Vegetarians have lower low-density lipoprotein, better serum glucose control, and lower oxidative stress. Low intake of foods containing saturated fat and cholesterol, and high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and soy products that are rich in fiber and phytochemicals are components of a vegetarian diet that contribute to reduction of chronic disease.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism and its relationship with sarcopenia in elderly women

Low dietary intake of calcium and poor vitamin D status during aging can result in mild secondary hyperparathyroidism, which may be associated with low muscle mass and reduced strength in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low vitamin D, high parathormone (PTH), or both, are associated with sarcopenia. A total of 105 women, 35 with sarcopenia and 70 without sarcopenia, were enrolled in the present study. Body composition measurements were performed by DXA and sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle mass index<5.45kg/m2 and grip strength lower than 20kg. Three-day dietary records were taken and adjustments for energy intake made. The estimated average requirement (EAR) method was adopted as a cut-off point for estimating the prevalence of inadequate intake. Serum total calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, intact PTH, and 25(OH)D were measured. Only 1% of the patients met the daily adequate intake for vitamin D and 11% met the daily adequate intake for calcium. Notably, the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in hyperparathyroidism (25(OH)D<20ng/mL and PTH>65pg/dL) than in the absence of hyperparathyroidism (41.2 vs 16.2%, respectively; p=0.046). The odds ratio for sarcopenia in hyperparathyroidism cases was 6.81 (95%CI 1.29–35.9) compared with participants who had low PTH and a high 25(OH)D concentration. The present study showed that vitamin D insufficiency associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism increased the risk of sarcopenia, suggesting that the suppression of hyperparathyroidism by ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake should be considered in interventional studies to confirm potential benefits.

Chemoprevention with Vitamins and Minerals: There's Still A Lot to Learn

The health benefits of adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and a host of other natural products are supported by extensive epidemiological data and have become a mainstay of nutritional counseling. The potential for some of these nutrients to reduce cancer mortality is particularly important for patients whose cancer has metastasized and have poor prognosis. Furthermore, efforts to develop vitamins and minerals as dietary supplements to reduce cancer incidence have been ongoing for decades, yet in recent years there has been a decline in both interest and effort in this area. A major reason for this has been the lack of success of large supplementation trials investigating the efficacy of individual supplements in preventing either the development or progression of a variety of cancer types. The failure to detect benefits has been compounded by data obtained from the same trials indicating that for several of the most promising supplements intake was associated with elevated cancer incidence [1]. For example, two large randomized supplementation trials, the AlphaTocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study (ATBC) and the Beta–Carotene and Retinol Efficiency Trial (CARET) both reported significant increases in lung cancer incidence and mortality among high risk individuals provided beta-carotene. In the largest prostate cancer prevention trial ever conducted, the randomized Selenium and Vitamin E Chemoprevention Trial (SELECT), approximately 35,000 men over the age of 50 were provided vitamin E, selenium, or both and the incidence and grade of prostate cancers developing over a 7 year period were compared to those in men provided placebo. The results of this study indicated that the risk of prostate cancer was increased by 17% in those provided the vitamin E supplement and in the selenium supplemented group, those men who had the highest baseline selenium status experienced an increased risk of high grade prostate cancer by 91% [2]. In a prospective study of men diagnosed with prostate cancer, use of selenium supplements was associated with a significant increase in prostate cancer-specific mortality [3]. More and more, supplementation studies are revealing what is described as a “U shaped dose-response curve” [4], where a supplement is beneficial when provided to individuals with low baseline levels of that substance, but detrimental when provided to those at adequate or above adequate levels.

Associations between intakes of individual nutrients or whole food groups and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease among Korean adults

Dietary factors are closely associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Asian and Western diets differ in energy-nutrient composition, fatty-acid composition, and main nutritional sources; therefore, the implications would be limited if the Western-oriented study results were applied to Asian patients. We aimed to identify the nutrient and food group intakes of a typical Asian diet and assess their effects on NAFLD risk. In total, 348 subjects were recruited from 5 participating hospitals. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and health-related behaviors were obtained through face-to-face interviews. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound. Dietary intakes were assessed with a 24-h recall applying a multiple-pass approach and 4-day food records that included 1 or 2 weekend days. There were no significant differences in health-related behaviors between the cases and controls except for smoking behavior. The cases had elevated triacylglycerol, fasting glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with the controls. In men, after adjusting for variables, low intakes of vitamin C (odds ratio [OR], 4.23), vitamin K (OR, 3.93), folate (OR, 3.37), omega-3 fatty acids (OR, 2.16), and nuts and seeds (OR, 3.66) were associated with a significantly higher risk for developing NAFLD. In women, vitamin K (OR, 2.54) and vegetable (OR, 4.11) intakes showed a significant beneficial effect for lowering NAFLD risk. Adequate intakes of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, nuts and seeds, and vegetables may help in preventing NAFLD in Korean adults.

Vitamin K intake and mortality in people with chronic kidney disease from NHANES III

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), partly due to increased vascular calcification. Vitamin K plays a role in preventing vascular calcification in CKD yet the relationship between vitamin K intake and mortality in CKD patients remains unclear. This observational cohort study included 3401 participants with CKD from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Vitamin K intake was estimated from 24-h dietary recalls (1988-94). Mortality was determined from the National Death Index records through 2006. Cox-proportional hazards regression was used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HR) by comparing those with adequate intake of vitamin K to those with low intake, adjusting for advanced CKD covariates. For sensitivity analysis, these associations were also examined among those with different renal status. During a median follow-up of 13.3 years (37,408 person-years), 1815 and 876 participants died from all-cause and CVD causes, respectively. 72% of the participants had vitamin K intake lower than the recommended adequate intake. Participants with vitamin K intake higher than recommended adequate intake for vitamin K were associated with lower risk of all-cause (HR = 0.85; 95%: 0.72-1; P = 0.047) and CVD mortality (HR = 0.78; 95%: 0.64-95; P = 0.016). Sensitivity analyses in subgroups with advanced CKD revealed similar findings. This observational study suggests that adequate intake of vitamin K may be associated with reduced all-cause and CVD mortality in CKD patients. However, vitamin K may be a marker of a healthy diet; therefore clinical trials may help in clarifying the effect of vitamin K independent of a healthy diet.

Is breakfast associated with an increase of body weight in children? An international comparison based on the OBEY‐AD Study (621.4)

Objective. Childhood obesity is nowadays a global problem affecting not only developed countries but also both low and middle‐income ones, particularly in urban settings. Breakfast is very important for the maintenance of an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals and for the improvement of diet quality and health in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to assess whether skipping breakfast is associated with the increase of body weight in children aged 3‐11 years. Study design. The OBEY‐AD is a cross‐sectional study which has been conducted in 9 countries (Argentina, Brasil, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy and Mexico) enrolling 2635 children aged 3‐11 years, 50% females. Children’s BMI CDC z‐scores have been computed for each child and categorized accordingly as Normal, Overweight or Obese and as Underweight. Parents have been asked about breakfast habits in the family. A multivariable logistic model has been used to model risk of overweight or obesity in association with breakfast habits. Results. Overall, 70% of the children are having breakfast every day, consistently across the countries, varying from 64% in India up to 92% in France. About 14% of the children overall are not used to have breakfast in the morning. 29% of the children who are not taking breakfast were overweight or obese, as compared with 24% of those who are taking breakfast every day (p‐value =0.037). After adjustment for socio‐economic status of the family, BMI of the parents and physical activity, having breakfast every day resulted in a lowered risk of overweight of obesity as compared with no breakfast (OR 0.76, 95% C.I. 0.59‐0.97), consistently over all countries considered (p‐value for interaction terms 0.58). Conclusions. The data collected from the OBAY‐AD study indicate that skipping breakfast is associated with a higher risk of overweight of obesity. Promoting the breakfast consumption could be an important implication to prevent the weight gain in children.

Osteogenesis imperfecta type I: A case report.

A 15-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital having experienced repeated fractures over the previous three years, predominantly due to falling down or overexertion. The clinical signs and radiological features, such as recurrent fractures, blue sclera and low bone mineral density (BMD) level, all led to the diagnosis of a mild form of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type I. The patient began treatment with a regular intake of calcium (1,000 mg/day), an adequate intake of vitamin D (800 U/day) and intravenous pamidronate (60 mg). Following four months of treatment, the symptoms and quality of life of the patient improved. This patient appears to be a rare case of OI type I.

Vitamin K adequacy ina representative sample of Spanish adults. Dietary determinants

Vitamin K is an essential element in the coagulation, which is also involved in gamma-carboxylation reactions of proteins as osteocalcin, which may exert a protective effect against age-dependent bone loss. But there is also evidence that both osteocalcin as vitamin K can have a benefit on the metabolism of glucose, insulin sensitivity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to analyse the adequacy of vitamin K intake and food sources in a representative sample of Spanish adults. A sample of 1068 adults (521 men and 547 women) with ages ranging from 17 to 60 years, was selected in ten Spanish provinces to constitute a representative sample of the population nationwide. The dietary study was carried out by using a "Food record questionnaire" for 3 consecutive days, including a Sunday. Personal, anthropometric and health data were also collected. The intake of vitamin K (170.2 ± 14.5 μg/day) was lower than the established adequate intake for vitamin in the 30.2% of the studied participants. Vitamin intake increases with age (r = 0.201, p < 0.05), in fact, those participants who meet the adequate intake are older (34.5 ± 12.8 years) than those who do not meet the adequate intake (with a mean age 29.1 ± 11.9 years) (p < 0.001). Vitamin K intake also increases with weight (r = 0.106, p < 0.05) and height (r = 0.282, p < 0.05), however the participants with overweight/obesity have a significantly lower intake (168.2 ± 13.5 g/day) than those individuals with normal weight (171.1 ± 14.9 μg/day) (p < 0.01). The major food source of vitamin K are vegetables (45.35% of the intake comes from this food group), followed by fats and oils (13.28%), pulses (11.69%), meat (10.62%), cereals (5.33%) and fruits (4.60%). Meeting adequate intake for vitamin K is favoured by the increase in the consumption of vegetables (OR 0.329; CI95%: 0.279, 0.387), dairy (OR 0.815; CI95%: 0.690, 0.963), pulses (OR 0.091; CI95%: 0.054, 0.154) and fruits (OR 0.774; CI95%: 0.677, 0.885) (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between vegetable consumption and the intake of vitamin K (r = 0.432, p < 0.001). Adults with an inadequate intake of vitamin K have a lower consumption of vegetables (2.04 ± 1.16 servings/day) than adults with adequate intake (3.78 ± 1.65 servings/day) (p < 0.001). The intake of vitamin K was lower than adequate intake in a significant percentage of the Spanish population (30.2%), which highlights the need to increase the consumption of vegetables, the major source of the vitamin (which are consumed in insufficient amount, by the 49.6% of the studied population), and to improve the diet as a whole, monitoring the intake of vitamin K, in order to obtain a nutritional and health benefit.

Urgent need of vitamin D supplementation among Iranian elderly: a cross-sectional study.

Urgent need of vitamin D supplementation among Iranian elderly: a cross-sectional study.

Micronutrient deficiencies in obese Thai children.

We reported the cases of 3 obese children who presented variously with costochondral beading, numbness of both hands and feet, and hypochromic-microcytic anemia. Serum ascorbic acid concentration, erythrocyte thiamin pyrophosphate effect, and serum hepcidin concentration were done to investigate these symptoms, respectively, with findings of ascorbic acid insufficiency, thiamin deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia from poor iron absorption due to a hyper-inflammatory state, respectively. This report indicated that obese children not only have energy excess but may also risk being micronutrient deficiencies; therefore, weight management with special attention to an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals should be provided.

Effects of dietary guidance on the symptoms, quality of life and habitual dietary intake of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Diet is important in triggering the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study investigated the impact of dietary guidance on the symptoms, quality of life and habitual diet of patients with IBS. Forty-six patients who fulfilled the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of IBS were included. Of these patients, 17 completed the entire study. Each patient attended three sessions (~45 min in duration) and received individual guidance on their dietary management. The patients were asked to complete the following questionnaires prior to receiving the dietary guidance, and at least 3 months subsequently: The Birmingham IBS symptom score questionnaire, the IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire, the Short-Form Nepean and Dyspepsia Index (SF‑NDI) and the MoBa Food Frequency Questionnaire (MoBa FFQ). The time at which patients completed the questionnaires following dietary guidance ranged from 3-9 months (median, 4 months). The total IBS symptom scores were reduced once the patients had received dietary guidance (P=0.001). The total score for the quality of life, as assessed by the IBS‑QOL and the SF-NDI, increased significantly following the dietary guidance sessions (P=0.003 and P=0.002, respectively). There were no statistical differences in the intake of calories, carbohydrate, fiber, protein, fat or alcohol in the patients with IBS following dietary guidance. There were increases in the consumption of dairy products, β-carotene, retinol equivalents, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and calcium, although only the increase in vitamin B12 consumption was statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in the consumption of certain fruits and vegetables that were rich in highly fermentable short-chain carbohydrates, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, as well as insoluble fibers. In conclusion, three 45-min dietary guidance sessions, administered by a nurse, reduced the symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients with IBS, and resulted in an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Individual dietary guidance is a cost-effective option for the management of IBS.

Sexual dichotomy in calcium buffering capacity may be dependent on the severity of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the skeletal muscle of the vitamin D3 deficient transgenic G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

BackgroundWe previously demonstrated that dietary vitamin D3 (D3) restriction hastened the decline in functional capacity following disease onset in the G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons.ObjectiveIn this pilot study, we analyzed the quadriceps of G93A mice following dietary D3 restriction at 2.5% the adequate intake for vitamin D receptor and markers of intracellular calcium trafficking (calbindin d28k, calretinin), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (SERCA2, CHOP) and apoptosis (bax/bcl2 ratio, caspase 12 cleaved/pro ratio).MethodsBeginning at age 25 d, 42 G93A mice were provided food ad libitum with either adequate (AI; 1 IU D3/g feed; 12 M, 11 F) or deficient (DEF; 0.025 IU D3/g feed; 10 M, 9 F) D3. At age 113 d, the quadriceps were analyzed for protein content. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.10.ResultsIn females, DEF had 30% lower calbindin d28k (P = 0.075), 69% higher cleaved/pro caspase 12 ratio (P = 0.100), and 103% higher bax/bcl2 ratio (P = 0.057) vs. AI. DEF males had 67% higher CHOP (P = 0.048) vs. AI.ConclusionDietary D3 at 2.5% the AI reduces calcium buffering capacity and increases prolonged ER stress‐induced apoptosis in female, but not in male, G93A mice. We hypothesize a reciprocal interaction between ER stress and calcium buffering. (Supported by NSERC and Faculty of Health, York University)Grant Funding Source: NSERC and Faculty of Health, York University

The Micronutrient Levels in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Assessment of the Neonatal Outcome: A Pilot Study

During pregnancy, an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is recommended, to prevent the occurrence of adverse effects in the mother and the foetus. In our study, we aimed to study the levels of the micronutrients like iron, zinc and copper in the third trimester of pregnancy and to assess the neonatal outcome in them. Fifty pregnant women who were aged 20-30 years, who had completed 24 weeks of gestation, who were on regular antenatal checkups, were included. The collected venous blood samples were used for the estimation of haemoglobin, serum ferritin, zinc and copper. They were followed up till their deliveries and the neonatal outcomes were noted. The gestational ages, weight of the babies, the lengths of the babies and their head circumferences and any complications which had occurred during and after the deliveries, were noted in the proforma. The serum ferritin levels did not significantly correlate with the other study parameters. The zinc levels decreased with an increase in the parity (p<0.05). The copper levels decreased with an increase in the BMI (p<0.05). With an increase in haemoglobin, there was an increase in the levels of zinc and ferritin (p<0.05). With an increase in the parity, there was a decrease in the neonatal birth weight. Our study clearly brought out a correlation between the microminerals such as iron, zinc and copper during late pregnancies. An improvement in the iron status brings out a positive effect on the ferritin and zinc levels, thus indicating better outcomes of the pregnancies.

Is there a link between premature ovarian failure and serum concentrations of vitamin D, zinc, and copper?

The risk of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) increases in association with autoimmune conditions. Adequate intake of vitamin D (vit D) and trace elements is required for the immune system to function efficiently. The aim of this study was to evaluate vit D, zinc, and copper blood levels in women with POI who had given birth to at least one child and in women with normal menstrual cycles. This was a cross-sectional, case-control study involving 63 participants divided into two groups: the study group, which is composed of 35 women with POI, and the control group, which is composed of 28 women with normal menstrual cycles. Serum concentrations of zinc, vit D, and copper were determined for each participant. Women with POI had significantly higher serum copper levels and copper-to-zinc ratio but significantly lower serum vit D and zinc levels when compared with the healthy control group. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels were inversely correlated with zinc and vit D levels and positively correlated with the copper-to-zinc ratio and copper levels. Vit D levels were inversely correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone levels, copper-to-zinc ratio, and copper levels and positively correlated with zinc levels. Most women with POI are deficient in vit D. Zinc, copper, and vit D seem to correlate with hormonal status in the participants. The present study may generate hypotheses for future studies that will investigate the possible mechanisms behind alterations in trace elements and vit D deficiency in women with POI and whether these changes could be used to screen for the risk of developing POI.

Protective cardiovascular and renal actions of vitamin D and estrogen.

Both basic science and clinical studies support the concept that vitamin D deficiency is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and renal diseases through its association with diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may provide a rationale for advocating adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium in all populations, thereby preventing many chronic diseases. This review explores the effect of vitamin D deficiency in the development of cardiovascular and renal diseases, and the role of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes. In addition, it highlights the importance of vitamin D intake for the prevention of adverse long-term health consequences, and in ways to facilitate the management of cardiovascular disease. This is particularly true for African American and postmenopausal women, who are at added risk for cardiovascular disease. We suggest that the negative cardiovascular effects of low vitamin D in postmenopausal women could be improved by a combined treatment of vitamin D and sex steroids acting through endothelium-dependent and/or -independent mechanisms, resulting in the generation of nitric oxide and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Vitamins in nutrition: a new era?

Vitamins – the name of which was proposed exactly one century ago by a Polish biochemist, Casimir Funk – are enjoying a second (third? fourth?) life, both scientifically and commercially. A few years ago we learned the disappointing results of randomised clinical trials of antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) as potential reducers of cardiovascular and cancer risks and of the B6, B12 and folate combination in homocysteine and cardiovascular risk control. Since then, however, new data has emerged that associates adequate intakes of vitamins with favourable health outcomes. One notable example is that of vitamin K, whose essential role in skeletal development is now well established. In this issue of Nutrafoods, Philipp and Ouwehand review the latest evidence in support of this notion. Concerning cardiovascular risk, basic and clinical research are suggesting that elevated intakes of vitamin D might play protective roles. This is a very interesting hypothesis, because it might partially explain the North–South cardiovascular risk gradient (which, therefore, might also depend on sun exposure in addition to diet and lifestyle). Also, this theory opens interesting areas of investigation in the field of sunscreens, which are currently recommended to limit photoageing and reduce skin cancer risk. It must be stressed that international nutrition societies have rapidly examined the new evidence in support of the hypothesised cardioprotective role of vitamin D. Notably, data are not conclusive and further discussion is warranted before solid conclusions and recommendations can