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Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical... Dec 2023Globally, there appears to be an ever-increasing interest in adopting a vegetarian diet. However, there are concerns that avoiding meat may increase the risk of anaemia...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Globally, there appears to be an ever-increasing interest in adopting a vegetarian diet. However, there are concerns that avoiding meat may increase the risk of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies, especially for vulnerable populations, such as adolescent women. The objective of this study was to compare the micronutrient status of vegetarian and non-vegetarian adolescent women in New Zealand.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN
Adolescent women aged 15-18 y were recruited from eight locations across New Zealand. Blood samples were analysed for: haemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, zinc, selenium, retinol binding protein, folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone.
RESULTS
Of the 182 participants who provided a blood sample, 15% self-identified as vegetarian (n=27). On average, vegetarians had 3.1% (95% CI -5.8 to -0.4, p=0.025) lower haemoglobin, and 8.3% (95%CI -14.1 to -2.1, p=0.004) lower selenium. In contrast, serum folate was 80.5% (95% CI 45.7 to 123.7, p<0.001) higher. The prevalence of zinc and selenium deficiency was higher among vegetarians (50% and 12%, respectively) than non-vegetarians (21%, and 2%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent vegetarian women may be at increased risk of deficiency of micronutrients commonly found in animal products, including zinc and selenium, and may benefit from following dietary practices that enhance micronutrient intake and absorption.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adolescent; Micronutrients; Selenium; New Zealand; Diet, Vegetarian; Vegetarians; Malnutrition; Trace Elements; Folic Acid; Zinc; Hemoglobins; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 38135479
DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202312_32(4).0008 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Micronutrition in pregnancy is critical to impact not only fetal growth and development but also long-term physical and psychiatric health outcomes. (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Micronutrition in pregnancy is critical to impact not only fetal growth and development but also long-term physical and psychiatric health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Estimate micronutrient intake from food and dietary supplements in a diverse cohort of pregnant women and compare intake to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs).
DESIGN
Secondary analysis of women enrolled in a multi-site clinical trial of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation who provided their dietary intake using the diet history questionnaire-II ( = 843) or multiple 24 h recalls ( = 178) at baseline and their intake of nutritional supplements at baseline through 30 days postpartum.
PARTICIPANTS/SETTING
1021 participants from the parent trial who had reliable data for dietary intake, supplement intake, or both.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Micronutrient intake from dietary and supplement sources and percentage of intakes meeting the DRIs for pregnancy.
STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED
Percent of participants whose intake was below the estimated average requirement (EAR) or adequate intake (AI) and above the tolerable upper limit (UL).
RESULTS
Dietary intakes of choline, folate, iron, vitamin D, zinc, vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, were below the AI or EAR for 30-91% of the participants; thiamin and vitamin B6 were also below the AI or EAR for non-Hispanic/Latina women. Supplement intake improved the intake for most; however, 80% of the group remained below the AI for choline and 52.5% for potassium while 30% remained below the EAR for magnesium. Folate and iron intakes were above the UL for 80% and 19%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietary supplements, despite their variability, allowed the majority of this cohort of pregnant women to achieve adequate intakes for most micronutrients. Choline, magnesium, and potassium were exceptions. Of interest, folate intake was above the tolerable UL for the majority and iron for 16.8% of the participants. Clinicians have the opportunity to address the most common nutrient deficits and limits with advice on food sources that provide choline, magnesium, and potassium and to ensure folate is not overabundant. More research is needed to determine if these findings are similar in a cross-sectional population.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Choline; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Iron; Magnesium; Micronutrients; Nutritional Requirements; Potassium; Pregnant Women; Trace Elements
PubMed: 37513643
DOI: 10.3390/nu15143228 -
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Aged; Micronutrients; Malnutrition; Nutritional Status; Patients; Trace Elements
PubMed: 38309108
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100174 -
Nature Food Jan 2024Biofortification was first proposed in the early 1990s as a low-cost, sustainable strategy to enhance the mineral and vitamin contents of staple food crops to address... (Review)
Review
Biofortification was first proposed in the early 1990s as a low-cost, sustainable strategy to enhance the mineral and vitamin contents of staple food crops to address micronutrient malnutrition. Since then, the concept and remit of biofortification has burgeoned beyond staples and solutions for low- and middle-income economies. Here we discuss what biofortification has achieved in its original manifestation and the main factors limiting the ability of biofortified crops to improve micronutrient status. We highlight the case for biofortified crops with key micronutrients, such as provitamin D/vitamin D, vitamin B and iron, for recognition of new demographics of need. Finally, we examine where and how biofortification can be integrated into the global food system to help overcome hidden hunger, improve nutrition and achieve sustainable agriculture.
Topics: Humans; Biofortification; Food, Fortified; Malnutrition; Vitamins; Micronutrients; Trace Elements
PubMed: 38168782
DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00905-8 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Trace elements and vitamins, collectively known as micronutrients, are essential for basic metabolic reactions in the human body. Their deficiency or, on the contrary,... (Review)
Review
Trace elements and vitamins, collectively known as micronutrients, are essential for basic metabolic reactions in the human body. Their deficiency or, on the contrary, an increased amount can lead to serious disorders. Research in recent years has shown that long-term abnormal levels of micronutrients may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of some neurological diseases. Acute and chronic alterations in micronutrient levels may cause other serious complications in neurological diseases. Our aim was to summarize the knowledge about micronutrients in relation to selected neurological diseases and comment on their importance and the possibilities of therapeutic intervention in clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Micronutrients; Vitamins; Trace Elements; Vitamin A; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 37836413
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194129 -
Current Opinion in Critical Care Aug 2023Numerous micronutrients are involved in antioxidant and immune defence, while their blood concentrations are frequently low in critically ill patients: this has fuelled... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Numerous micronutrients are involved in antioxidant and immune defence, while their blood concentrations are frequently low in critically ill patients: this has fuelled many supplementation trials. Numerous observational, randomized studies have been published, which are presented herein.
RECENT FINDINGS
Micronutrient concentrations must be analysed considering the context of the inflammatory response in critical illness. Low levels do not always indicate a deficiency without objective micronutrients losses with biological fluids. Nevertheless, higher needs and deficiencies are frequent for some micronutrients, such as thiamine, vitamins C and D, selenium, zinc and iron, and have been acknowledged with identifying patients at risk, such as those requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The most important trials and progress in understanding have occurred with vitamin D (25(OH)D), iron and carnitine. Vitamin D blood levels less than 12 ng/ml are associated with poor clinical outcomes: supplementation in deficient ICU patients generates favourable metabolic changes and decreases mortality. Single high-dose 25(OH)D should not be delivered anymore, as boluses induce a negative feedback mechanism causing inhibition of this vitamin. Iron-deficient anaemia is frequent and can be treated safely with high-dose intravenous iron under the guidance of hepcidin to confirm deficiency diagnosis.
SUMMARY
The needs in critical illness are higher than those of healthy individuals and must be covered to support immunity. Monitoring selected micronutrients is justified in patients requiring more prolonged ICU therapy. Actual results point towards combinations of essential micronutrients at doses below upper tolerable levels. Finally, the time of high-dose micronutrient monotherapy is probably over.
Topics: Humans; Micronutrients; Critical Illness; Vitamins; Trace Elements; Vitamin D; Iron
PubMed: 37306546
DOI: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000001062 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Copper, a transition metal, serves as an essential co-factor in numerous enzymatic active sites and constitutes a vital trace element in the human body, participating in... (Review)
Review
Copper, a transition metal, serves as an essential co-factor in numerous enzymatic active sites and constitutes a vital trace element in the human body, participating in crucial life-sustaining activities such as energy metabolism, antioxidation, coagulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, iron metabolism, and tetramer deposition. Maintaining the equilibrium of copper ions within biological systems is of paramount importance in the prevention of atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular diseases. Copper induces cellular demise through diverse mechanisms, encompassing reactive oxygen species responses, apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent research has identified and dubbed a novel regulatory cell death modality-"cuprotosis"-wherein copper ions bind to acylated proteins in the tricarboxylic acid cycle of mitochondrial respiration, resulting in protein aggregation, subsequent downregulation of iron-sulfur cluster protein expression, induction of proteotoxic stress, and eventual cell death. Scholars have synthesized copper complexes by combining copper ions with various ligands, exploring their significance and applications in cancer therapy. This review comprehensively examines the multiple pathways of copper metabolism, copper-induced regulatory cell death, and the current status of copper complexes in cancer treatment.
Topics: Humans; Copper; Trace Elements; Apoptosis; Cell Death; Iron-Sulfur Proteins; Iron
PubMed: 37600774
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1236063 -
Nutrients Nov 2023Adults with Crohn's disease (CD) may be at risk of micronutrient insufficiency in clinical remission through restrictive eating, malabsorption, abnormal losses or... (Review)
Review
Adults with Crohn's disease (CD) may be at risk of micronutrient insufficiency in clinical remission through restrictive eating, malabsorption, abnormal losses or inflammation. This systematic review synthesises the literature on micronutrient insufficiency in CD in clinical remission in terms of the prevalence of low circulating micronutrient concentrations and as a comparison against a healthy control (HC). Studies were included if the population was predominantly in remission. A total of 42 studies met the inclusion criteria; 12 were rated as low quality, leaving 30 studies covering 21 micronutrients of medium/high quality that were included in the synthesis. Vitamins D and B12 were the most frequently reported nutrients (8 and 11); there were few eligible studies for the remaining micronutrients. The prevalence studies were consistent in reporting individuals with low Vitamins A, B6, B12 and C, β-carotene, D, Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc. The comparator studies were inconsistent in finding differences with CD populations; Vitamin D, the most reported nutrient, was only lower than the HC in one-quarter of the studies. Adult CD populations are likely to contain individuals with low levels of one or more micronutrients, with the most substantial evidence for Vitamins D and B12. The studies on other micronutrients are of insufficient number, standardisation and quality to inform practice.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Micronutrients; Crohn Disease; Trace Elements; Vitamins; Vitamin A; Cholecalciferol
PubMed: 38004171
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224777 -
Reviews in Medical Virology Mar 2024As an indispensable trace element, iron is essential for many biological processes. Increasing evidence has shown that virus infection can perturb iron metabolism and... (Review)
Review
As an indispensable trace element, iron is essential for many biological processes. Increasing evidence has shown that virus infection can perturb iron metabolism and play a role in the occurrence and development of viral infection-related diseases. Ferritin plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's iron homoeostasis. It is an important protein to stabilise the iron balance in cells. Ferritin is a 24-mer hollow iron storage protein composed of two subunits: ferritin heavy chain and ferritin light chain. It was reported that ferritin is not only an intra-cellular iron storage protein, but also a pathogenic mediator that enhances the inflammatory process and stimulates the further inflammatory pathway, which is a key member of the vicious pathogenic cycle to perpetuate. Ferritin exerts immuno-suppressive and pro-inflammatory functions during viral infection. In this review, we describe in detail the basic information of ferritin in the first section, including its structural features, the regulation of ferritin. In the second part, we focus on the role of ferritin in viral infection-related diseases and the molecular mechanisms by which viral infection regulates ferritin. The last section briefly outlines the potential of ferritin in antiviral therapy. Given the importance of iron and viral infection, understanding the role of ferritin during viral infection helps us understand the relationship between iron metabolic dysfunction and viral infection, which provides a new direction for the development of antiviral therapeutic drugs.
Topics: Humans; Ferritins; Virus Diseases; Iron; Antiviral Agents; Trace Elements
PubMed: 38502012
DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2531 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2023Trace mineral nutrition of sheep often focuses on their greater susceptibility to copper toxicosis due to a lesser biliary excretion ability compared with other... (Review)
Review
Trace mineral nutrition of sheep often focuses on their greater susceptibility to copper toxicosis due to a lesser biliary excretion ability compared with other ruminants. Our understanding of sheep trace mineral requirements has improved for most elements allowing for a factorial approach to determining daily requirement instead of a dietary concentration. Forage trace mineral content is influenced by many factors making issues of trace mineral supplementation geographic-dependent. Oral delivery of trace elements is a preferred supplementation method, and this can be achieved through free choice trace mineralized salt or direct dietary incorporation.
Topics: Animals; Sheep; Trace Elements; Diet; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Dietary Supplements; Minerals
PubMed: 37640586
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2023.07.001