Daily Supplementation Of Vitamin Research Articles

Evaluation of iodine levels in the Riverina population

To assess the iodine status in a random group of adults in a rural region. A cross-sectional study; urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) were correlated with results of a questionnaire that collected demographic information. Primary care. A total of 173 adults from the Riverina region provided a morning midstream urine sample and completed a questionnaire. There were no exclusion criteria. Iodine status was based upon mean UIC (MUIC) values and categorised according to World Health Organisation criterion. Subgroups were classified according to sex, age, town, salt usage, vitamin/supplement usage, pregnant or breast-feeding status and diet. The MUIC for the study population was 79 microg L(-1); 29% were iodine-replete, 52% had mild deficiency and 18.5% were moderately to severely deficient. Use of iodised salt produced a non-clinically significant increase in MUIC of 81 microg L(-1)compared with 71 microg L(-1)(P = 0.1907). Daily vitamin supplementation led to iodine sufficiency with a MUIC of 111 microg L(-1)(P = 0.0011). Participants aged 50-59 years had a significantly lower MUIC than participants aged 18-39 years (67 versus 89 microg L(-1), respectively, P = 0.0106). Further, the MUIC decreased with age from 18 to 59 years (P = 0.0208). A mild iodine deficiency was found in this sample of the Riverina population, consistent with other Australian studies. Salt iodisation might not be an effective strategy to correct iodine deficiencies within Australia.

RETIRED: Pre-conceptional Vitamin/Folic Acid Supplementation 2007: The Use of Folic Acid in Combination With a Multivitamin Supplement for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects and Other Congenital Anomalies

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Can vitamin D supplementation improve grip strength in elderly nursing home residents? A double-blinded controlled trial

BackgroundLow vitamin D status is associated with reduced muscle strength, but the benefit of vitamin D supplementation is not clear.ObjectiveTo study whether a daily supplement of vitamin D could improve grip strength.DesignA subtrial of a double-blinded, controlled trial studying the effect of vitamin D on the incidence of hip fractures and other osteoporosis fractures in a frail nursing home population. Sixty nursing home residents in 14 nursing homes in the Oslo area were given 5 ml ordinary cod liver oil daily containing 10 µg vitamin D3 (vitamin D group) or 5 ml cod liver oil where vitamin D was removed (control group). Grip strength was measured at baseline and after 1 year with supplementation.ResultsGrip strength did not improve in the vitamin D group (0.4 kg increase) compared with the control group (1.6 kg increase) after 1 year vitamin D supplementation (p=0.22). Serum 25(OH)D was estimated to increase by 21.1 nmol l−1 (p=0.002) in the intervention group compared with the control group.ConclusionA group given a daily supplement of 10 µg vitamin D3 in cod liver oil did not improve grip strength compared with a group not receiving vitamin D from cod liver oil.

Plasma homocysteine status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur-containing amino acid, is eliminated through B vitamins-dependent pathways. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been found to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular diseases. Recently, psoriasis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis were reported to be associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. This study was aimed to evaluate the changes of plasma Hcy level before and after sulfasalazine and MTX therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). One hundred and two patients with AS and ten normal controls were enrolled in the cross-sectional case-control study. Fasting plasma Hcy levels were determined by ELISA kits (IMX, Abbott). Hcy levels were compared to their Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI) and the usage of sulfasalazine and/or MTX. Active disease was defined by BASDAI as more than 3 in a 10-cm scale with ESR >20 mm/h. For those patients with plasma Hcy >or=15 micromol/l, a perspective trial of daily supplement of vitamin B-12 0.5 mg, B-6 50 mg, and folic acid 5 mg for 2 weeks were also tested for the efficacy. Plasma Hcy level increased significantly in AS patients under sulfasalazine (10.4+/-3.8 micromol/l, p<0.05), MTX (11.9+/-4.7, p<0.05) and sulfasalazine/MTX combination treatment (11.2+/-2.6, p<0.05) compared with normal controls (8.6+/-1.2 micromol/l) and AS patients without DMARD(9.4+/- 2.6 micromol/l). No correlation between disease activity and plasma Hcy level was found. Daily supplement of vitamin B-12 0.5 mg, B-6 50 mg, and folic acid 5 mg can lower Hcy level in 2 weeks (32.3+/-24.0 vs 15.6+/-11.1 micromol/l, p=0.007). Plasma homocysteine level did significantly increase in AS patients under sulfasalazine or MTX treatment. B-vitamins should be considered as a routine supplementation for patients who underwent sulfasalazine and/or MTX treatment. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm the conclusions.

Nutrition in pregnancy

Nutrition in pregnancy

Protocol for Project FACT: a randomised controlled trial on the effect of a walking program and vitamin B supplementation on the rate of cognitive decline and psychosocial wellbeing in older adults with mild cognitive impairment [ISRCTN19227688

Backgroundthe prevalence of individuals with cognitive decline is increasing since the number of elderly adults is growing considerably. The literature provides promising results on the beneficial effect of exercise and vitamin supplementation on cognitive function both in cognitively healthy as well as in the demented elderly.Methods/Designthe design is a two-by-two factorial randomised controlled trial. The study population consists of independently living elderly, between 70 and 80 years old, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In the RCT the effect of two interventions, a walking program and vitamin supplementation, is examined. The walking program (WP) is a group-based program aimed at improving cardiovascular endurance; frequency two lessons a week; lesson duration one hour; program duration one year. Non-walking groups receive a placebo activity program (PAP) (i.e. low intensive non-aerobic group exercises, like stretching) with the same frequency, lesson and program duration. Vitamin supplementation consists of a single daily vitamin supplement containing 50 mg B6, 5 mg folic acid and 0,4 mg B12 for one year. Subjects not receiving vitamin supplements are daily taking an identically looking placebo pill, also for a year. Participants are randomised to four groups 1) WP and vitamin supplements; 2) WP and placebo supplements; 3) PAP and vitamin supplements; 4) PAP and placebo supplements. Primary outcome measures are measures of cognitive function. Secondary outcomes include psychosocial wellbeing, physical activity, cardiovascular endurance and blood vitamin levels.Discussionno large intervention study has been conducted yet on the effect of physical activity and vitamin supplementation in a population-based sample of adults with MCI. The objective of the present article is to describe the design of a randomised controlled trial examining the effect of a walking program and vitamin B supplementation on the rate of cognitive decline in older adults with MCI.

The Impact of a Package of Single Mega Dose of Vitamin A and Daily Supplementation of Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin C in Improving Hemoglobin Levels

The Impact of a Package of Single Mega Dose of Vitamin A and Daily Supplementation of Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin C in Improving Hemoglobin Levels

Evaluation of the effect of dietary vegetable consumption on reducing risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers

To evaluate the effects of vegetable consumption and vitamin supplementation on the risk of developing transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers. Case-control study. 92 adult Scottish Terriers with TCC (cases) and 83 Scottish Terriers with other conditions (controls). Owners of dogs with TCC completed a questionnaire regarding their dogs' diet and intake of vitamin supplements in the year prior to diagnosis of TCC; owners of control dogs completed the questionnaire for a comparable time period. The risk (odds ratio [OR]) of developing TCC associated with diet and vitamin supplementation was determined by use of logistic regression. After adjustment for age, weight, neuter status, and coat color, there was an inverse association between consumption of vegetables at least 3 times/wk (OR, 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15 to 0.62) and risk of developing TCC. For individual vegetable types, the risk of developing TCC was inversely associated with consumption of green leafy vegetables (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.97) and yellow-orange vegetables (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.70). Consumption of cruciferous vegetables was not significantly associated with a similar reduction in risk of developing TCC (OR, 0.22; CI, 0.04 to 1.11). The power of the study to detect a 50% reduction in TCC risk associated with daily vitamin supplementation was considered low (25%). Results suggest that consumption of certain vegetables may prevent or slow the development of TCC in Scottish Terriers.

Effect of supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in peri- and post-menopause womenA double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Background: Osteoporosis is a serious global health problem for the future, that is why improving diagnostic methods and prevention of this disease could be helpful. Objectives: To assess the effects of calcium supplementations combined with Vitamin D on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in a representative sample of peri- and post-menopausal women in a double-blind, a randomized, controlled trial was untaken. Design: A total of 120 women aged over 45 were included in a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on the effect of a daily dietary supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content; over a 30-month period. Methods: Dietary intake assessment; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure total body and segmental bone mineral density and bone mineral content at beginning of the study and every 15 months were undertaken. Results: There was no significant change in dietary calcium or Vitamin D intakes in either of the treatment groups during the 30-month intervention period. The change in total BMD in the calcium group was significantly different from that in the placebo group (P < 0.005). The placebo group lost a total BMD at a rate of about 0.4% per year. There was an inverse correlation between BMD and age. Conclusions: The effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density of calcium has been demonstrated in this group of young adult women. Our results showed the positive effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation in women both peri- and post-menopausal status; for this reason a supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D should be recommended as a strategic option in helping to prevent early postmenopausal bone loss.

Effect of supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in peri- and post-menopause women: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Background: Osteoporosis is a serious global health problem for the future, that is why improving diagnostic methods and prevention of this disease could be helpful. Objectives: To assess the effects of calcium supplementations combined with Vitamin D on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in a representative sample of peri- and post-menopausal women in a double-blind, a randomized, controlled trial was untaken. Design: A total of 120 women aged over 45 were included in a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on the effect of a daily dietary supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content; over a 30-month period. Methods: Dietary intake assessment; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure total body and segmental bone mineral density and bone mineral content at beginning of the study and every 15 months were undertaken. Results: There was no significant change in dietary calcium or Vitamin D intakes in either of the treatment groups during the 30-month intervention period. The change in total BMD in the calcium group was significantly different from that in the placebo group ( P < 0.005). The placebo group lost a total BMD at a rate of about 0.4% per year. There was an inverse correlation between BMD and age. Conclusions: The effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density of calcium has been demonstrated in this group of young adult women. Our results showed the positive effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation in women both peri- and post-menopausal status; for this reason a supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D should be recommended as a strategic option in helping to prevent early postmenopausal bone loss.

Anesthetic Considerations for Bariatric Surgery

According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity is a major health problem with clearly established health implications, including an increased risk for coronary artery disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, degenerative joint disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and socioeconomic and psychosocial impairment (1). The risk of developing one or more of these obesityrelated conditions is based on body mass index (BMI), with 25–30 kg/m 2 being low risk and 40 kg/m 2 being very high risk (2). The prevalence of obesity in the 18- to 29-yr-old group increased from 12% in 1991 to 18.9% in 1999 (3). Bariatric surgery encompasses a variety of surgical weight loss procedures used to treat morbid obesity. Obesity is clinically expressed in terms of BMI or Quetelet’s index (4), which is derived by dividing weight by the square of height to estimate the degree of obesity. Thus, BMI body weight (kg)/height 2 (m 2 ). Morbid obesity is a BMI more than 35 kg/m 2 , and super morbid obesity is BMI more than 55 kg/m 2 . The indications for surgical treatment of severe obesity, as outlined in the 1991 National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Panel, include an absolute BMI more than 40 kg/m 2 or BMI more than 35 kg/m 2 in combination with lifethreatening cardiopulmonary problems or severe diabetes mellitus (1). Patients seeking surgical weight loss must have proven attempts at medically supervised weight loss. Documentation of loss of 5% to 10% excess body weight or weight gain after at least 6 mo of diet modification, exercise, and medical therapy or nonimprovement in comorbid conditions during this period indicates failure. Studies have shown that weight loss of 5%–10% of initial body weight improves glucose intolerance and Type II diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (5–7). The average expenditure is approximately $7000 per year per patient on weight loss programs and equipment. Unfortunately, long-term weight loss is the exception, and most patients regain weight, sometimes more than they initially lost.

Vitamin E succinate inhibits the function of androgen receptor and the expression of prostate-specific antigen in prostate cancer cells.

Although epidemiological evidence indicates that a daily supplement of vitamin E may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, the detailed mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that alpha-tocopheryl succinate (VES) can suppress the expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker for the progression of prostate cancer. VES can also suppress androgen receptor (AR) expression by means of transcriptional and posttranscriptional modulation, but not ligand binding, nuclear translocation, or AR dimerization. This VES-mediated inhibition of AR is selective because VES does not repress the expression of other nuclear receptors. Cell growth studies further show that VES inhibits the growth of prostate cancer LNCaP cells. In contrast, hydroxyflutamide (HF), an antiandrogen currently used to treat prostate cancer patients, only slightly inhibits LNCaP cell growth. Interestingly, simultaneous addition of HF and VES results in a more significant inhibition of LNCaP cell growth. Moreover, selenomethionine (SM), a prostate cancer treatment adjuvant, shows an inhibitory effect on LNCaP cell growth, yet has no effect on the AR/PSA pathway. Together, our data indicate that VES may suppress androgen/AR-mediated cell growth and PSA expression by inhibiting AR expression at both the transcription and translation levels. This previously undescribed mechanism may explain how VES inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells and help us to establish new therapeutic concepts for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Pharmacologic B-vitamin therapy for hyperhomocysteinemia in dialysis patients: has the time come?

Hyperhomocysteinemia, the state of elevated plasma homocysteine levels, is an independent risk factor for atherothrombosis and arteriosclerosis. For incompletely understood reasons, renal disease appears to predispose to hyperhomocysteinemia. In fact, as renal function declines, plasma homocysteine levels rise. Mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is almost universal among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, who have negligible functioning renal mass. This tendency towards a hyperhomocysteinemic state may partially explain the dramatically high rate of cardiovascular morbidity and death seen in this population. Hyperhomocysteinemic subjects with normal kidney function can usually reduce or normalize homocysteine levels with modest B-vitamin (folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12) supplementation. However, subjects with reduced renal function require much higher ("pharmacologic") B-vitamin doses to achieve equivalent reductions, while ESRD subjects are resistant to even massive doses. Study design flaws and the inclusion of potentially B-vitamin-deficient subjects in homocysteine-lowering trials has made interpretation of this literature difficult. Nonetheless, it appears that the modest standard daily dialysis vitamin supplements are equivalent to pharmacologic B-vitamin therapy in lowering homocysteine levels in ESRD patients and should be the recommended method of treatment in this population at the present time.

Television Advertising of Liquid Nutritional Supplements Targeting Older Persons: Perceptions of Rural Pennsylvan1ans

LEARNING OUTCOME: To define the influence of television advertising of liquid supplements on a community-dwelling geriatric population. A telephone survey instrument was developed to ascertain perceptions of Medicare risk participants in the Geisinger Healthcare System in regard to television advertising of liquid nutritional supplements. Pilot testing was conducted to ensure face validity and internal consistency. A sample of 50 community-dwelling subjects were randomly selected from a total of 3,000 eligible Medicare risk enrollees who had completed prior nutrition risk screening. With up to 3 attempts at telephone contact, there were 42 completed individual surveys, with 3-refusals, 4-unable to contact and 1-eliminated because of biased information. There were 12 males and 30 females surveyed with mean age 70 ± 12 years. Use of daily vitamin or liquid nutritional supplement was reported by 24/42 (57%) and 7/42 (17%), respectively. All subjects contacted owned a television and a remarkable 16/42 (38%) spent more than 5 hours daily watching television. There were 40/42 (95%) who had observed a television commercial marketing liquid nutritional supplements to older persons. When asked to recall wether consulting a health professional was suggested by the advertisements, 16/40 (40%) responded in the affirmative, 12/40 (30%) in the negative, and 12/40 (30%) were unsure. There were 25/40 (62%) who recalled that the commercials suggest that supplement can be used as a meal replacement. Few subjects (5/40, 12%) felt supplements were appropriate for everyone, and health conditions (37/40, 92%) and age (34/40, 85%) were most frequently cited as factors determining need. The persuasive reach of television advertising that targets older persons must be considered. It is crucial that nutrition professionals appreciate the perceptions that may result.

Vitamin status of infants receiving long-term peritoneal dialysis

The oral vitamin intakes and blood vitamin concentrations of seven infants receiving long-term peritoneal dialysis were measured. The serum concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C and folic acid were determined. Thiamine and riboflavin were assessed by the activation of erythrocyte transketolase and erythrocyte glutathione reductase, respectively. Vitamin B6 was measured as plasma pyridoxal phosphate. All patients received a daily vitamin supplement devoid of vitamin A. Dietary vitamin intake was derived from infant formula. In all cases, the patients' blood concentrations of the water-soluble vitamins were equal to or greater than normal infant values. Serum vitamin A levels were elevated despite the lack of supplementation. The combined dietary/supplemental water-soluble vitamin intake of the patients exceeded the recommended daily allowance in all but one patient. These preliminary data emphasize the need to further evaluate the vitamin requirements of infants receiving long-term peritoneal dialysis.

Starvation in hospital

The importance given to diet in medical treatment has had many ups and downs in the past 300 years. Nutritional science was rudimentary in the eighteenth century,1 but diet was probably a better option than the alternatives of bleeding or purging. At the beginning of the twentieth century many young men recruited for the Boer war were found to be seriously undernourished, so a school meals service was introduced. The golden period for nutrition was the 1930s, when most of the vitamins were discovered and shown to be therapeutically effective - in 1932, for example, the death rate among children with measles in a London fever hospital was reduced from 8.7% to 3.7% by a daily supplement of vitamin A from cod liver oil.2 The rationing system during the second world war was a spectacular …

Vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and folate nutritional status in men with hyperhomocysteinemia

We measured the vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folic acid nutritional status in a group of apparently healthy men (n = 44) with moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (plasma homocysteine concentration > 16.3 mumol/L). Compared with control subjects (n = 274) with normal plasma homocysteine (< or = 16.3 mumol/L) concentrations, significantly lower plasma concentrations of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P < 0.001), cobalamin (P < 0.001), and folic acid (P = 0.004) were demonstrated in hyperhomocysteinemic men. The prevalence of suboptimal vitamin B-6, B-12, and folate status in men with hyperhomocysteinemia was 25.0%, 56.8%, and 59.1%, respectively. In a placebo-controlled follow-up study, a daily vitamin supplement (10 mg pyridoxal, 1.0 mg folic acid, 0.4 mg cyanocobalamin) normalized elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations within 6 wk. Because hyperhomocysteinemia is implicated as a risk factor for premature occlusive vascular disease, appropriate vitamin therapy may be both efficient and cost-effective to control elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations.

Night blindness and conjunctival xerosis caused by vitamin A deficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Forty three patients with cystic fibrosis, aged 8-44 years (median 16 years), were examined for evidence of vitamin A deficiency. Eight patients had abnormal dark adaptation tests and three had conjunctival xerosis. Serum vitamin A and retinol binding protein concentrations were significantly lower in the affected patients who were also more likely to have abnormal liver function tests. Five patients were treated with 100,000-200,000 IU water miscible vitamin A orally and their daily vitamin supplements were increased to maintain normal concentrations. In four patients dark adaptation tests were repeated. Three were normal, but one patient required three further doses of water miscible vitamin A and a daily supplement of 12,000 IU vitamin A before her dark adaptation threshold returned to normal. Adolescents with cystic fibrosis are liable to develop night blindness and conjunctival xerosis, particularly if they have liver disease or fail to take daily vitamin supplements.

Vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of gastric bypass surgery patients

The vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of 22 gastric bypass subjects aged 23 to 60 years was evaluated before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Before surgery, 77% of subjects had adequate plasma vitamin E levels; 36%, adequate plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels; 100%, adequate plasma vitamin B-12 levels; and 45%, adequate plasma folate levels. The food intake of all subjects was sharply reduced after surgery. After surgery, subjects were classified into three vitamin supplement groups on the basis of average daily vitamin supplement intake. Subjects taking higher levels of supplements containing the vitamins in question had significantly higher plasma concentrations of the vitamins than those taking low or moderate levels. The mean plasma vitamin values in the moderate supplement group were indicative of adequate status for all vitamins, but plasma vitamin B-12 levels at 12 months post-surgery were significantly lower than pre-surgery levels. In the low supplement group, mean plasma vitamin levels were in or near marginal or deficient ranges. The majority of subjects consuming supplements of vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and folate near the US RDA maintained normal vitamin status. Subjects taking more than 100 µg vitamin B-12 daily had adequate vitamin B-12 status. Significant correlations (r=. 67 to. 94) were observed between vitamin supplement levels and the respective plasma vitamin concentrations. J Am Diet Assoc 88:579, 1988.

Thiamine Deficiency at a District General Hospital: Report of Five Cases

Five biochemically severe cases of thiamine deficiency presented to one medical firm within an 11-month period at a district general hospital in Wales. In two patients the presenting feature was oliguric functional renal failure, with frank cardiovascular beri-beri. In one of these renal failure developed over a period of seven days, the cause being recognised after 20 days of continuous high-calorie intravenous feeding including daily vitamin supplements. Three further cases illustrate how early recognition and adequate treatment of the renal and cardiovascular components of thiamine deficiency may be life-saving.