Dietary Intake Of Vitamin B12 Research Articles

Increment in Dietary Potassium Predicts Weight Loss in the Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: In the treatment of obesity/metabolic syndrome, dietary measures traditionally focus on reducing carbohydrate/fat-related caloric intake. The possibility that changes in potassium consumption may be related to the achieved weight loss has not been previously explored. Methods: Sixty-eight participants, with a mean age of 51.6 ± 11.0 years (F/M—30/38), who fulfilled the ATPIII criteria for the metabolic syndrome (MS) were enrolled into a 1-year intensive multidisciplinary program. Nutritional recommendation consisted of a moderate low calorie/high protein Mediterranean diet. Baseline assessment included clinical and biochemical profiling, and body composition. Nutritional components were registered over 7 days before and at the end of 1 year of treatment. Results: Mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 35 ± 4 kg/m², which declined by 9.4 ± 0.1% after one year of combined intervention. Linear stepwise regression analysis revealed that 45% of the predicted variance of the % decline in BMI was related to increased consumption of dietary potassium (β = −0.865) and caproic acid (β = −0.423) and reduction in the consumption of dietary vitamin B6 (β = 0.542), calcium (β = 0.335), total carbohydrates (β = 0.239) and total caloric intake (β = 0.238; p < 0.001). Notably, the strongest correlate of the decline in BMI was the increase in dietary potassium intake (β = −0.865). Subjects whose achieved decrease in BMI was above the average (n = 30) increased potassium intake by 25% as compared to an increase in dietary potassium intake of only 3% by those whose decline in BMI was below the average (n = 36; p < 0.05). The change in dietary potassium was related to the percent increase in dietary protein (r = 0.433; p < 0.001). Conclusion: An increase in dietary potassium consumption is a previously unrecognized predictor of the achieved reduction in BMI in a weight-loss-oriented multidisciplinary intervention in obesity/MS. Prospective trials are underway to confirm this post-hoc finding.

Methyl Donor Nutrient Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Results from 3 Large US Cohorts (OR15-02-19)

ObjectivesDNA methylation may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). DNA methylation can be influenced by methyl donor nutrients such as vitamins B2, B6, B12, folate, and methionine, which are all central to one carbon metabolism. Using 3 large cohorts of US health professionals, we examined whether intake of these nutrients from food or supplements is associated with T2D risk. MethodsWe included 69,949 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (1984–2012), 90,239 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991–2011), and 40,539 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986–2010). Dietary data were collected every 2–4 years using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ, from which dietary intakes of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and methionine were calculated. We used Cox proportional hazards model with time-varying covariates and adjusted for several sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. We also adjusted for cereal fiber, animal protein, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids ratio. Food sources of vitamins were additionally adjusted for multivitamin use while supplemental sources of vitamins were adjusted for a measure of overall diet quality. ResultsDuring 1763,428 years of follow-up, we documented 8141 T2D cases. In pooled multivariable-adjusted analyses, compared to those in the lowest quintile, those in the highest quintile of vitamins B2 and B6 had a 10% (95% CI 3%–16%) and 11% (95% CI 3%–16%) lower T2D risk, respectively. Total vitamin B12 intake was not associated with T2D. However, when analyses were stratified by source, vitamin B12 from food sources was associated with a higher T2D risk (HR [95% CI] = 1.11 [1.02–1.19]). On the other hand, supplemental vitamin B12 was associated with lower T2D risk (HR [95% CI] for Q5 vs Q1 = 0.92 [0.85–0.98]). We found no evidence for an association between intakes of folate and methionine and T2D risk. ConclusionsOur study suggests that higher intakes of vitamin B2 and vitamin B6 are associated with a lower T2D risk. A higher vitamin B12 intake from food seems to be associated with a higher T2D risk, which may be due to consumption of animal products. Funding SourcesThe analysis was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Severity of hot flushes is inversely associated with dietary intake of vitamin B6 and oily fish

Objectives: This study investigated the links between the severity of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the dietary consumption of a variety of nutrients.Method: A cross-sectional analysis of the first-visit records of 262 women aged 40–65 years was conducted. The severity of their hot flushes (HF) and night sweats (NS) and their dietary consumption of nutrients were evaluated using the Menopausal Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and the brief-type self-administered Diet History Questionnaire, respectively. The relationships between severity of HF/NS and dietary intake were analyzed separately for 43 major nutrients. We then evaluated different food items as sources of the nutrients.Results: After adjustment for age, body mass index, menopausal status, and background factors significantly related to VMS, only vitamin B6 (VB6) was significantly related to severity of HF (adjusted odds ratio per 10 μg/MJ in VB6 intake, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.97). Moreover, a significant inverse relationship was found between the consumption of oily fish as a source of VB6 and the severity of HF.Conclusions: VB6 and oily fish intake is inversely associated with the severity of HF in middle-aged women. Therefore, increased intake of VB6 could help attenuate HF.

B-vitamins and body composition: integrating observational and experimental evidence from the B-PROOF study

PurposeHigher folate and vitamin-B12 have been linked to lower risk of overweight. However, whether this is a causal effect of these B-vitamins on obesity risk remains unclear and evidence in older individuals is scarce. This study aimed to assess the role of B-vitamin supplementation and levels on body composition in older individuals.MethodsA double-blind, randomized controlled trial in 2919 participants aged ≥ 65 years with elevated homocysteine levels. The intervention comprised a 2-year supplementation with a combination of folic acid (400 µg) and vitamin B12 (500 µg), or with placebo. Serum folate, vitamin-B12, active vitamin-B12 (HoloTC), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and anthropometrics were measured at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up. Dietary intake of folate and vitamin-B12 was measured at baseline in a subsample (n = 603) using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were assessed with Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).ResultsCross-sectional analyses showed that a 1 nmol/L higher serum folate was associated with a 0.021 kg/m2 lower BMI (95% CI − 0.039; − 0.004). Higher HoloTC (per pmol/L log-transformed) was associated with a 0.955 kg/m2 higher FMI (95% CI 0.262; 1.647), and higher MMA (per μgmol/L) was associated with a 1.108 kg/m2 lower FMI (95% CI − 1.899; − 0.316). However, random allocation of B-vitamins did not have a significant effect on changes in BMI, FMI or FFMI during 2 years of intervention.ConclusionsAlthough observational data suggested that folate and vitamin B12 status are associated with body composition, random allocation of a supplement with both B-vitamins combined versus placebo did not confirm an effect on BMI or body composition.

Dietary B-Vitamin Intake and Risk of Breast, Endometrial, Ovarian and Colorectal Cancer among Canadians

Few studies have explored the associations of thiamin, niacin and riboflavin with risk of cancer despite their role in potentially cancer-associated one-carbon metabolism. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models modified for the case-cohort design, we examined the associations of dietary intake of the above-mentioned B vitamins, as well as folate, and vitamins B6 and B12, with risk of the breast (n = 922), endometrial (n = 180), ovarian (n = 104) and colorectal (n = 266) cancers among age-stratified subcohorts of 3,185 women who were randomly selected from a cohort of 73,909 participants. None of the B-vitamins were associated with risk of breast or colorectal cancers. However, relatively high dietary intake of folate intake was inversely associated with risk of endometrial (HRq4 vs q1: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29–0.93) and ovarian (HRq3 vs q1: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19–0.80) cancers while relatively high dietary intake of vitamin B6 was inversely associated with ovarian cancer risk (HRq3 vs q1: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.24–0.98). These findings suggest that dietary intake of folate may reduce risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers and dietary intake of vitamin B6 may reduce risk of ovarian cancer.

Determinants of Vitamin B6 Status in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study Over a Period of 18 Years

Cross-sectional studies indicate an age-related decline in vitamin B6 status. Because longitudinal studies are lacking, the present study investigates the long-term association between age and vitamin B6 status in older adults by considering potential confounding factors. The study population consists of 249 women and 111 men aged ≥ 60 years, who had at least three follow-ups between 1996 and 2014 with complete data records on relevant parameters. Vitamin B6 status was assessed by serum pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the influence of age, sex, body composition, supplements, diet, lifestyle, and serum creatinine on PLP concentrations. At baseline, 37% of the subjects showed PLP concentrations < 30 nmol/L and more than half failed to meet the recommended dietary intake. Longitudinal analyses revealed that age, use of supplements and protein intake were positive determinants of PLP concentrations, whereas body fat showed a negative impact. No influence of sex, dietary vitamin B6 intake, lifestyle factors or serum creatinine on PLP concentrations was found. The present study provides no evidence that in the course of aging PLP concentrations decline between 60 and 90 years. However, age-related changes in body composition, such as an increased ratio of fat mass to fat-free mass may negatively affect vitamin B6 status.

The Vitamine Source, Usual Food Intake at Students.

Introduction:Inadequate vitamin B 12, folate status and B6 are associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases that may have a negative impact on the health.Aim:The aim of our study was to investigate dietary intake of vitamin B12, B6 and folates from various foods among the university students.Methods:Dietary intake of foods having vitamins B12, B6 and folate was assessed among the students of University of Sarajevo, 19-22 years old, from 2017 to 2018. The participants were interviewed to collect information regarding age, socioeconomic status, B12, folate, B6 vitamin, and usual food intake during one week.Results:The main sources of vitamin B12 and B6 in the students’ diet were chicken white meat (51.8-53.7 %), beef (45-63 %), cream (62.2 -72.1 %), sardines in oil (47.9-52.2 %), tuna (55.2 -60.4 %), cheese edamer (80.1%) and cheese feta (67.4%-73%). The foods with a high source of vitamin B12 and B6 but rarely consumed were fish, shellfish, salmon, roasted trout and mackerel. Sufficient folate intake was mainly achieved through dietary intake of beans (48.5-57.2%) and oatmeal (46.3-48.2%), while folate-insufficient diet resulted from intake of spinach (30.9-35 %), turkey (26.2-33.4 %), lentils (16.9-19.7 %) and soy (9.4-15.5%).Conclusion:Our results show that there is an important percentage of the students in Canton Sarajevo that do not meet the recommended intakes for vitamin B12 and B6 and folate. Additional research is needed to establish the best cost-effective public health approach to achieve sufficient intake of these vitamins.

Dietary intake of vitamin B12 in relation to diet and lifestyle characteristics in a population at high risk for colorectal cancer.

Besides irreplaceable role in health, vitamin B12 is proposed to have cytoprotective role in colorectal cancer (CRC). So far, studies are inconclusive on the role dietary intake of vitamin B12 has in CRC. The aim of this study was to determine whether total dietary intake of vitamin B12 and contribution from its food sources relates to a low-risk diet and lifestyle in a population at high risk for CRC. An observational study on 200 healthy adults from Eastern Croatia was conducted during April-May 2013. A typical diet of this population in this region is characterized with all known major dietary risk factors for CRC placing the population at high risk for CRC, yet the incidence of CRC remains relatively low. Diet and lifestyle characteristics of 52.2% of participants can be classified as the high-risk for CRC. Women, people in lower BMI category, and urban residents have significantly lower risk of the high-risk diet and lifestyle. Higher intake of vitamin B12 shows positive association with the low-risk diet and lifestyle. Intake of vitamin B12 from milk, dairy and fish represent independent factors for the low-risk diet and lifestyle in this population at high-risk for CRC. Higher intake of vitamin B12, especially intake from milk, dairy and fish are associated with the low-risk diet and lifestyle in a population at high risk for CRC. Further studies should focus on interplay between vitamin B12 and other nutrients that share the same food sources to elucidate their role in the aetiology and pathology of CRC.

1033: Pregnancy after bariatric surgery, effect of personalized tailored nutrition on dietary intake and pregnancy outcomes

Nutritional challenges following bariatric surgery can intensify during pregnancy and may have an effect on the mother and fetus. We examined the effect of nutritional counseling given during pregnancy on maternal diet quality and eating habits, as well as on the neonatal outcomes of post-bariatric surgery pregnancies. AA non-randomized, intervention-controlled clinical trial involving 61 women divided into three groups: Post-Bariatric Intervention - Prospective (PBI-P), Healthy Control - Prospective (HC-P), and Post-Bariatric Control - Retrospective (PBC-R). The intervention program included biweekly meetings with a bariatric dietitian certified in pregnancy nutrition counselling. For the prospective groups, data collection was performed 5 times during the pregnancy, and included a validated eating habits questionnaire, 24h dietary recall and perinatal outcomes. For the retrospective group, data collection was performed once, after delivery. FigurNo significant differences were found between the groups at baseline, except for pre-pregnancy BMI, which was higher in the post-bariatric groups. The HC-P group consumed a higher amount of dietary protein, energy and iron than did the PBI-P group (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences in dietary calcium and vitamin B12 intake were demonstrated between the study groups. Iron and calcium consumption from food and supplements combined was higher in the PBI-P than the HC-P group (Figure 1). Mean birth weight was lower in the PBC-R than the HC-P group, 27th vs. 43th percentile (p<0.05). However, in the PBI-P group, the mean birth weight was higher than that of the PBC-R group (35th vs. 27th percentile) (Figure 2). The difference between the intervention and healthy group was not statistically significant. Mean weight gain during pregnancy was not significantly different between the groups. Yet, among the PBC-R group, weight change measures varied widely such that weight loss was observed during pregnancy for some, and high weight gain for others. Overall, this research showed that a personalized nutritional follow-up during post-bariatric pregnancy may contribute to improved micronutrient intake and quality of diet; this could explain the higher birth weight.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Dietary vitamin B intake and the risk of esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis.

BackgroundSeveral epidemiology studies have explored the association between dietary B vitamins’ intake and the risk of esophageal cancer (EC). However, the results remain inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate such association.MethodsLiterature retrieval was performed using PubMed (Medline), ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library electronic databases for all studies published from database inception to December 2017.ResultsThe meta-analysis included 19 studies and showed an overall decreased risk of EC (OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.68–0.87) in association with multivitamin B (ie, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12) dietary intake. In a subgroup analysis based on vitamin B subclass, B1, B3, B6, and B9 vitamins were associated with decreased EC risk (vitamin B1: OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.56–0.82; vitamin B3: OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.53–0.94; vitamin B6: OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.49–0.83; and vitamin B9: OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.55–0.86). By contrast, no association was detected between dietary vitamin B2 and vitamin B5 intake and EC risk (vitamin B2: OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.64–1.16; vitamin B5: OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.20–1.20), whereas a potential non-linear dose–response association was found between dietary vitamin B12 intake and EC risk. A statistically significant, inverse association was observed for an increase of 100 µg/day in supplemental vitamin B6 and B9 and EC risk (vitamin B6: OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.98–0.99; vitamin B9: OR= 0.89; 95% CI: 0.86–0.94).ConclusionThese findings support that vitamin B may have an influence on carcinogenesis of the esophagus. Vitamin B1, B3, B6, B9 showed a decreased risk of EC, and vitamin B12 showed an increased risk of EC.

Dietary Intake of Vitamin B12 is Better for Restoring a Low B12 Status Than a Daily High-Dose Vitamin Pill: An Experimental Study in Rats.

Vitamin B12 (B12) is present in foods of animal origin, and vegans are encouraged to take supplements with synthetic B12 in order to ensure a sufficient uptake. Recent rat studies suggest that natural (hydroxo-B12, HO-B12) and synthetic (cyano-B12, CN-B12) B12 behave differently in the body. Here, we test if a daily vitamin pill matches dietary B12 in ability to restore a low B12 status in rats. B12-depleted male Wistar rats (n = 60) were divided into five groups (n = 12 in each) and subjected to two weeks intervention with various schemes of B12 supplementation. Two “dietary” groups received a low-B12 chow that was fortified with either HO-B12 or CN-B12 providing a continuous supply. Two “pill” groups received a single daily dose of CN-B12, where the vitamin content either matched or exceeded by factor four the provisions for the “dietary” groups. A control group received the low-B12 chow without B12 fortification. B12 was measured in plasma and tissues. Dietary B12 provides 35% more B12 to the tissues than an equivalent single daily dose (p < 0.0001). Natural B12 delivers 25% more B12 to the liver than synthetic B12 (p = 0.0007). A fourfold increase in B12, supplemented as a single daily dose, does not provide any extra B12 to the tissues (p = 0.45). We conclude that dietary B12 is better at rescuing a low B12 status than a daily vitamin pill.

Intakes, Adequacy, and Biomarker Status of Iron, Folate, and Vitamin B12 in Māori and Non-Māori Octogenarians: Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ).

Advanced-age adults may be at risk of iron, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiency due to low food intake and poor absorption. This study aimed to investigate the intake and adequacy of iron, folate, and vitamin B12 and their relationship with respective biomarker status. Face-to-face interviews with 216 Māori and 362 non-Māori included a detailed dietary assessment using 2 × 24-h multiple pass recalls. Serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, red blood cell folate, serum folate, serum vitamin B12 and hemoglobin were available at baseline. Regression techniques were used to estimate the association between dietary intake and biomarkers. The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) was met by most participants (>88%) for dietary iron and vitamin B12 (>74%) but less than half (>42%) for folate. Increased dietary folate intake was associated with increased red blood cell (RBC) folate for Māori (p = 0.001), non-Māori (p = 0.014) and serum folate for Māori (p < 0.001). Folate intake >215 µg/day was associated with reduced risk of deficiency in RBC folate for Māori (p = 0.001). Strategies are needed to optimize the intake and bioavailability of foods rich in folate. There were no significant associations between dietary iron and vitamin B12 intake and their respective biomarkers, serum iron and serum vitamin B12.

Dietary Intake and Food Sources of Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin and Vitamin B₆ in a Representative Sample of the Spanish Population. The Anthropometry, Intake, and Energy Balance in Spain (ANIBES) Study †.

Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6 are essential micronutrients that are mainly involved in energy metabolism; they may prevent the occurrence of developmental abnormalities and chronic degenerative and neoplastic diseases. The aim was to analyze dietary intake and food sources of those four nutrients in subjects (n = 2009) aged 9–75 years old from the Spanish ANIBES (Anthropometric data, macronutrients and micronutrients intake, practice of physical activity, socioeconomic data and lifestyles in Spain) study. Dietary data were collected by means of a validated, photo-based three-day dietary food record. Underreporting was analysed according to the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA, Parma, Italy) protocol. Mean (max–min) reported intake for the whole population of thiamin was 1.17 ± 0.02 mg/day, (0.30–3.44 mg/day), riboflavin 1.44 ± 0.02 mg/day, (0.37–3.54 mg/day), niacin 29.1 ± 0.2 mg/day (6.7–109 mg/day), and vitamin B6 1.54 ± 0.01 mg/day (0.28–9.30 mg/day). The main sources of intake for thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6 were meat and meat products, and for riboflavin were milk and dairy products. An elevated percentage of the Spanish ANIBES population meets the EFSA recommended intakes for thiamin (71.2%), riboflavin (72.0%), niacin (99.0%), and vitamin B6 (77.2%).

Child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 and their neurodevelopment at 24 and 30 months of age.

To evaluate whether child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12, is associated with mental and psychomotor development in Mexican children, respectively, at 24 and 30 months of age. Information about neurodevelopment and dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 at 24 and 30 months of age among 229 children belonging to a perinatal cohort was analyzed longitudinally. Dietary information was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and neurodevelopment by Bayley Scale of Infant Development II. At 30 months of age, dietary folate intake was marginally associated with increased Mental Development Index (MDI) (b=8.33; 95%CI -0.48, 17.14; p=0.06). Nonsignificant positive associations of vitamin B12 with MDI were found. Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) was not associated with these nutrients. Dietary folate intake in early childhood may benefit the mental development of children.

Intake of methyl-related nutrients and risk of pancreatic cancer in a population-based case-control study in Minnesota.

BackgroundFolate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and methionine are involved in DNA synthesis and methylation and thus may modulate pancreatic cancer risk. We investigated these associations in a population-based case-control study conducted in 1994–1998.MethodsCases (n=150) were identified from all hospitals in the metropolitan areas of the Twin Cities and the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota. Controls (n=459) were selected randomly from the general population and were frequency matched to cases by age, sex, and race. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for risk of pancreatic cancer in relation to intake of nutrients considered.ResultsDietary intake of folate was associated with a reduced pancreatic cancer risk [OR (95% CI) for quartile (Q) 4 vs. Q1: 0.31 (0.12–0.78)]. A composite score (range from 2 to 8), reflecting combined dietary intake of folate and vitamin B6, was also inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk [OR (95% CI) for Q4 vs. Q1: 0.24 (0.08–0.70)]. Null associations were found for intake of vitamin B12 and methionine.ConclusionsDietary folate intake was associated with a reduced pancreatic cancer risk, and this association became stronger when dietary intake of folate and vitamin B6 was combined in analysis.

Prospective cohort studies of dietary vitamin B6 intake and risk of cause-specific mortality

Vitamin B6 has been postulated to play an important role in determining chronic diseases. However, few studies have evaluated associations between dietary vitamin B6 and cause-specific mortality comprehensively. We investigated the associations between vitamin B6 from diet and risk of all-cause, and cause-specific mortality in 134,480 participants from the Shanghai Men's Health Study (2002-2014) and Shanghai Women's Health Study (1997-2014). The median follow-up periods for men and women were 10.3 and 16.2 years, respectively. We estimated hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using Cox proportional hazards models. After adjustment for suspected confounders, the multivariable-adjusted HRs for the highest versus lowest quintiles for total, CVD, stroke and CHD mortality among men were 0.83 (95%CI=0.76, 0.90), 0.73 (95%CI=0.63, 0.85), 0.71 (95%CI=0.58, 0.88), 0.66 (95%CI=0.47, 0.91), accordingly. Women with the highest intake had significantly 17% (HR=0.83; 95% CI=0.77, 0.90), 20% (HR=0.80; 95% CI=0.70, 0.92), and 28% (HR=0.72; 95% CI=0.59, 0.86) lower risks of total, CVD and stroke mortality compared with those of women with lowest vitamin B6 intake. No significant association was observed between dietary vitamin B6 and cancer mortality both among men and women. In the current study with two prospective Chinese cohorts, high dietary vitamin B6 consumption was inversely associated with risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.

Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in healthy Indian school-going adolescents from rural and urban localities and its relationship with various anthropometric indices: a cross-sectional study.

Micronutrient deficiency is a global health burden, especially among developing countries. The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in healthy Indian school-going adolescents, based on area of residence, sex and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, the relationship of serum B12 concentration with dietary vitamin B12 intake and anthropometric indices was assessed among adolescents from rural and urban India. A total of 2403 school-going adolescents (11-17years) from National Capital Region and rural areas of Haryana, India were selected. Serum B12 concentrations were estimated using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Dietary assessments were conducted on 65% of total participants (n=1556) by two 24-h diet recalls. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the total study population was 32.4% (rural: 43.9% versus urban: 30.1%, P<0.001; male: 34.4% versus female: 31.0%, P<0.05; normal weight: 28.1%, versus overweight: 39.8%, versus obese: 51.2%, P<0.001). More than half (51.2%) of obese adolescents were vitamin B12 deficient. On multiple linear regression analysis, serum B12 in rural adolescents was associated with age (β=-0.12, P<0.05). Among urban adolescents, serum B12 was associated with BMI (β=-0.08, P<0.05) and adjusted dietary vitamin B12 intake (β=0.14, P<0.001). Serum vitamin B12 levels were found to be lower in rural females (β=-0.12, P=0.030) and urban males (β: 0.11, P<0.001) compared to their respective contemporaries. Vitamin B12 deficiency was higher among rural school-going adolescents. Boys had a higher B12 deficiency than girls. Inverse associations of serum B12 with adiposity indices were observed. Serum B12 levels were positively associated with dietary vitamin B12 intake.

The Relation between Serum Homocystiene Level and Recurrent Abortion in Egyptian Women

Background: Early pregnancy loss is defined as the termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks' gestation or with a fetal weight of <500 g. Of those that are recognized, 15-20% result in spontaneous abortions (SABs) or ectopic pregnancies. Approximately 5% of couples trying to conceive have two consecutive miscarriages, and approximately 1% of couples have three or more consecutive early pregnancy loss. Increased levels of homocysteine may be due to inadequate dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 and inherited defects within the methionine-hmocysteine pathway such as MTHFR c677T gene polymorphism. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with the syndromes of repeated miscarriage. Objective: The aim of the current study is to estimate the serum levels of Homocystine and vitamin B12 and their relation to prevalence of recurrent spontaneous abortion in pregnancies with history of recurrent miscarriage. Subjects and Methods: In this study 80 pregnant women classified into two groups: GroupI:60 consecutive pregnant women who had suffered from two or more miscarriages, and Group II: 20 pregnant women with no history of abortion .The following estimations were done (for each woman in the study): serum homocysteine and vitaminB12 were estimated using ELISA technique. Results: Results showed a significant increase in serum level of homocysteine in the first group compared to control group(p<0.0001) and a low serum level of vitamin B12 which was significantly decreased in the study group (group 1) compared to control group(p<0.0001). Moreover, Our results showed a negative correlation between homocysteine and vitamin B12. Conclusion: The elevated serum homocysteine levels during pregnancy were significantly associated with recurrent pregnancy losses. Moreover, reduced serum vitamin B12 level was considered a risk for recurrent miscarriage. Homocysteine is most sensitive and specificparameters in the recurrent pregnancy losses.

Micronutrient Dietary Intake in Latina Pregnant Adolescents and Its Association with Level of Depression, Stress, and Social Support.

Adolescent pregnant women are at greater risk for nutritional deficits, stress, and depression than their adult counterparts, and these risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes are likely interrelated. This study evaluated the prevalence of nutritional deficits in pregnant teenagers and assessed the associations among micronutrient dietary intake, stress, and depression. One hundred and eight pregnant Latina adolescents completed an Automated Self-Administered 24-hour dietary recall (ASA24) in the 2nd trimester. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. Social support satisfaction was measured using the Social Support Questionnaire. More than 50% of pregnant teenagers had an inadequate intake (excluding dietary supplement) of folate, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. Additionally, >20% of participants had an inadequate intake of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, copper, and selenium. Prenatal supplement inclusion improved dietary intake for most micronutrients except for calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous, (>50% below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)) and for copper and selenium (>20% below the EAR). Higher depressive symptoms were associated with higher energy, carbohydrates, and fats, and lower magnesium intake. Higher social support satisfaction was positively associated with dietary intake of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and zinc. The findings suggest that mood and dietary factors are associated and should be considered together for health interventions during adolescent pregnancy for the young woman and her future child.

One-half of Korean adults studied had marginal vitamin B12 status assessed by plasma vitamin B12

Information is limited on the current vitamin B12 status of South Koreans, including the results of biochemical indices. The objective of this study was to assess vitamin B12 status with vitamin B12 intake, major food sources, and plasma vitamin B12 concentration in Korean adults. We hypothesized that vitamin B12 intake and status would be different between sex and age groups. Three consecutive 24-hour recalls and fasting blood samples were obtained from healthy 20- to 64-year-old adults (N=141). The dietary vitamin B12 intake of the men (10.77±6.11 μg/d) was significantly higher than that of the women (7.93±5.01 μg/d). The mean dietary vitamin B12 intake was significantly lower in the subjects aged 20-29 years than in the subjects aged 50-64 years. Only 2.1% of the subjects consumed less vitamin B12 than the estimated average requirement for Koreans. The top 4 major food sources of vitamin B12 were seafood, which provided 35.36% of the dietary vitamin B12 intake. There was no significant difference in plasma vitamin B12 concentration between sex and among age groups. Approximately 17% of total subjects had a plasma vitamin B12 concentration <125 pmol/L, indicating vitamin B12 deficiency, and 36.2% had marginal vitamin B12 status (125 to <250 pmol/L). The reported vitamin B12 intake was affected by both sex and age. However, plasma vitamin B12 concentration did not differ between sex and among age groups. One-half of the subjects had marginal vitamin B12 status using plasma vitamin B12.