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Nutrients Feb 2023Food insecurity is a public health problem as it affects a wide array of individuals in the population. It can be characterized by food deprivation, lack of essential... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Food insecurity is a public health problem as it affects a wide array of individuals in the population. It can be characterized by food deprivation, lack of essential nutrition, lack of dietary education, lack of adequate storage conditions, poor absorption, and poor overall nutrition. The relationship between food insecurity and micronutrient deficiency requires more effort to deepen and discuss the relationship. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between food insecurity and micronutrient deficiency in adults. The research was conducted according to PRISMA using the Medline/Pubmed, Lilacs/BVS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cinahl databases. Studies carried out with male and female adults were included, which investigated the correlation or association between food insecurity and the nutritional status of micronutrients. There were no publication year, country, or language restrictions. A total of 1148 articles were found, and 18 of these were included, carried out mainly on the American continent and with women. The most evaluated micronutrients were iron and vitamin A. Food insecurity was associated with nutrient deficiency in 89% ( = 16) of the studies. As a result of the meta-analysis, it was observed that there is a greater chance of anemia and low levels of ferritin among food insecure individuals. It is concluded that food insecurity is associated with micronutrient deficiency. Understanding these problems allows the creation of public policies capable of contributing to changes. Protocol registration: This review was registered on the PROSPERO-International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database-CRD42021257443.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Male; Female; Micronutrients; Iron; Diet; Nutritional Status; Food Insecurity; Food Supply
PubMed: 36904074
DOI: 10.3390/nu15051074 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Nov 2023Accumulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage diminishes cellular health, increases risk of developmental and degenerative diseases, and accelerates aging.... (Review)
Review
Protective Effects of Micronutrient Supplements, Phytochemicals and Phytochemical-Rich Beverages and Foods Against DNA Damage in Humans: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Studies.
Accumulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage diminishes cellular health, increases risk of developmental and degenerative diseases, and accelerates aging. Optimizing nutrient intake can minimize accrual of DNA damage. The objectives of this review are to: 1) assemble and systematically analyze high-level evidence for the effect of supplementation with micronutrients and phytochemicals on baseline levels of DNA damage in humans, and 2) use this knowledge to identify which of these essential micronutrients or nonessential phytochemicals promote DNA integrity in vivo in humans. We conducted systematic literature searches of the PubMed database to identify interventional, prospective, cross-sectional, or in vitro studies that explored the association between nutrients and established biomarkers of DNA damage associated with developmental and degenerative disease risk. Biomarkers included lymphocyte chromosome aberrations, lymphocyte and buccal cell micronuclei, DNA methylation, lymphocyte/leukocyte DNA strand breaks, DNA oxidation, telomere length, telomerase activity, and mitochondrial DNA mutations. Only randomized, controlled interventions and uncontrolled longitudinal intervention studies conducted in humans were selected for evaluation and data extraction. These studies were ranked for the quality of their study design. In all, 96 of the 124 articles identified reported studies that achieved a quality assessment score ≥ 5 (from a maximum score of 7) and were included in the final review. Based on these studies, nutrients associated with protective effects included vitamin A and its precursor β-carotene, vitamins C, E, B1, B12, folate, minerals selenium and zinc, and phytochemicals such as curcumin (with piperine), lycopene, and proanthocyanidins. These findings highlight the importance of nutrients involved in (i) DNA metabolism and repair (folate, vitamin B, and zinc) and (ii) prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation (vitamins A, C, E, lycopene, curcumin, proanthocyanidins, selenium, and zinc). Supplementation with certain micronutrients and their combinations may reduce DNA damage and promote cellular health by improving the maintenance of genome integrity.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Selenium; Lycopene; Cross-Sectional Studies; Curcumin; Proanthocyanidins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vitamins; Vitamin A; Micronutrients; Folic Acid; Zinc; Beverages; Phytochemicals; DNA; DNA Damage; Biomarkers; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37573943
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.08.004 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease that causes complications over time, bringing serious public health challenges that affect different countries across the... (Review)
Review
Diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease that causes complications over time, bringing serious public health challenges that affect different countries across the world. The current clinical drugs for diabetes may lead to adverse effects such as hypoglycemia and liver and abdominal distension and pain, which prompt people to explore new treatments for diabetes without side effects. The research objective of this review article is to systematically review studies on vitamins and diabetes and to explain their possible mechanism of action, as well as to assess the role of vitamins as drugs for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. To achieve our objective, we searched scientific databases in PubMed Central, Medline databases and Web of Science for articles, using "vitamin" and "diabetes" as key words. The results of numerous scientific investigations revealed that vitamin levels were decreased in humans and animals with diabetes, and vitamins show promise for the prevention and/or control of diabetes through anti-inflammation, antioxidation and the regulation of lipid metabolism. However, a few studies showed that vitamins had no positive effect on the development of diabetes. Currently, studies on vitamins in the treatment of diabetes are still very limited, and there are no clinical data to clarify the dose-effect relationship between vitamins and diabetes; therefore, vitamins are not recommended as routine drugs for the treatment of diabetes. However, we still emphasize the great potential of vitamins in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and higher quality studies are needed in the future to reveal the role of vitamins in the development of diabetes.
Topics: Humans; Vitamins; Dietary Supplements; Vitamin A; Vitamin K; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38003557
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216371 -
Clinica Chimica Acta; International... Nov 2020Hemolysis is one of the main pathophysiological characteristics of sickle cell disease (SCD) and might cause or could be the result of oxidative stress. Antioxidants are... (Review)
Review
Hemolysis is one of the main pathophysiological characteristics of sickle cell disease (SCD) and might cause or could be the result of oxidative stress. Antioxidants are studied in SCD due to their potential to ensure redox balance and minimize deleterious effects on erythrocyte membranes. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant nutrient supplementation on reducing hemolysis in SCD patients through randomized clinical trials. We conducted our study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions investigating whether antioxidants could improve the hemolytic status of SCD patients. This study included 587 articles published until April 2020. We reduced this pool to 12 articles by excluding duplicates, reviews, comments, and studies with non-human subjects. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and zinc were the antioxidants that reportedly improved the indirect hemolysis parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, or red blood cells. High-dose vitamin C and E supplementation worsened hemolysis, causing increased reticulocytes, lactate dehydrogenase, indirect bilirubin, and haptoglobin. More intervention studies especially high-quality controlled randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the effects of antioxidant nutrients in reducing hemolysis in SCD.
Topics: Anemia, Sickle Cell; Antioxidants; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Nutrients
PubMed: 32673671
DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.07.020 -
Journal of Global Health Aug 2023Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is widely recognised as a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite various interventions implemented...
BACKGROUND
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is widely recognised as a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite various interventions implemented in many countries, a lack of reliable data is hindering progress. We aimed to consolidate available data and quantify estimates of the prevalence of VAD among children ≤18 years in LMICs.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Medline and Embase for studies reported the prevalence of VAD or marginal (m)VAD among children. A multilevel mixed-effects meta-regression approach was applied to establish the regression models for VAD and mVAD prevalence. The total numbers of children affected by VAD and mVAD in LMICs in 2019 were separately calculated from the estimated age- and socio-demographic index (SDI)-specific prevalence with their corresponding United Nations Population Division populations projections. We estimated areas of significant public health concern in 165 LMICs using the lower confidence interval (CI) of VAD prevalence.
RESULTS
A total of 116 articles from 40 LMICs were retained. In 2019, VAD and mVAD affected 333.95 million (95% CI = 253.00-433.74) and 556.13 million (95% CI = 388.83-767.94) children and adolescents in 165 LMICs, respectively, corresponding to a prevalence of 14.73% (95% CI = 11.16-19.14) and 24.54% (95% CI = 17.15-33.88). The prevalence of both VAD and mVAD was the highest in children aged 0-5 years at 19.53% (95% CI = 15.03-24.91) and 28.22% (95% CI = 20.00-38.24), respectively, with both steadily decreasing to 10.09% (95% CI = 7.44-13.50) and 20.76% (95% CI = 14.16-29.50) in adolescents aged 13-18 years. The prevalence of VAD was significantly higher in the low SDI region at 29.67% (95% CI = 22.67-37.53) compared to 5.17% (95% CI = 3.14-8.43) estimated in the high-middle SDI region. 68 of the 165 LMICs (41.21%) were classified as areas of moderate to severe VAD public health significance.
CONCLUSIONS
VAD continues to pose a significant public health concern in many low-income settings. Development in LMICs is a crucial factor for VAD, with a disproportionately higher burden in low SDI regions.
REGISTRATION
This study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020220654.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Vitamin A Deficiency; Developing Countries; Prevalence; Public Health; Poverty
PubMed: 37565390
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04084 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023Bisphenols such as bisphenol A (BPA), S (BPS), C (BPC), F (BPF), AF (BPAF), tetrabromobisphenol, nonylphenol, and octylphenol are plasticizers used worldwide to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Bisphenols such as bisphenol A (BPA), S (BPS), C (BPC), F (BPF), AF (BPAF), tetrabromobisphenol, nonylphenol, and octylphenol are plasticizers used worldwide to manufacture daily-use articles. Exposure to these compounds is related to many pathologies of public health importance, such as infertility. Using a protector compound against the reproductive toxicological effects of bisphenols is of scientific interest. Melatonin and vitamins have been tested, but the results are not conclusive. To this end, this systematic review and meta-analysis compared the response of reproductive variables to melatonin and vitamin administration as protectors against damage caused by bisphenols. We search for controlled studies of male rats exposed to bisphenols to induce alterations in reproduction, with at least one intervention group receiving melatonin or vitamins (B, C, or E). Also, molecular docking simulations were performed between the androgen (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER), melatonin, and vitamins. About 1234 records were initially found; finally, 13 studies were qualified for review and meta-analysis. Melatonin plus bisphenol improves sperm concentration and viability of sperm and increases testosterone serum levels compared with control groups; however, groups receiving vitamins plus bisphenols had lower sperm concentration, total testis weight, and testosterone serum levels than the control. In the docking analysis, vitamin E had the highest negative MolDock score, representing the best binding affinity with AR and ER, compared with other vitamins and melatonin in the docking. Our findings suggest that vitamins could act as an endocrine disruptor, and melatonin is most effective in protecting against the toxic effects of bisphenols.
Topics: Male; Rats; Animals; Melatonin; Vitamins; Molecular Docking Simulation; Semen; Benzhydryl Compounds; Reproduction; Receptors, Estrogen; Vitamin A; Vitamin K; Testosterone; Endocrine Disruptors
PubMed: 37834378
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914930 -
BMJ Global Health Feb 2023WHO guidelines on iron supplementation among children call for further research to identify the optimal schedule, duration, dose and cosupplementation regimen. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Oral iron supplementation and anaemia in children according to schedule, duration, dose and cosupplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 129 randomised trials.
INTRODUCTION
WHO guidelines on iron supplementation among children call for further research to identify the optimal schedule, duration, dose and cosupplementation regimen.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was undertaken. Randomised controlled trials providing ≥30 days of oral iron supplementation versus placebo or control to children and adolescents aged <20 years were eligible. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to summarise the potential benefits and harms of iron supplementation. Meta-regression was used to estimate iron effect heterogeneity.
RESULTS
129 trials with 201 intervention arms randomised 34 564 children. Frequent (3-7/week) and intermittent (1-2/week) iron regimens were similarly effective at decreasing anaemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia (p heterogeneity >0.05), although serum ferritin levels and (after adjustment for baseline anaemia) haemoglobin levels increased more with frequent supplementation. Shorter (1-3 months) versus longer (7+ months) durations of supplementation generally showed similar benefits after controlling for baseline anaemia status, except for ferritin which increased more with longer duration of supplementation (p=0.04). Moderate-dose and high-dose supplements were more effective than low-dose supplements at improving haemoglobin (p=0.004), ferritin (p=0.008) and iron deficiency anaemia (p=0.02), but had similar effects to low-dose supplements for overall anaemia. Iron supplementation provided similar benefits when administered alone or in combination with zinc or vitamin A, except for an attenuated effect on overall anaemia when iron was cosupplemented with zinc (p=0.048).
CONCLUSIONS
Weekly and shorter duration iron supplementation at moderate or high doses might be optimal approaches for children and adolescents at risk of deficiency.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42016039948.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Iron; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Anemia; Ferritins; Dietary Supplements; Zinc; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36849195
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010745 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Oct 2023Micronutrients are vital for general and oral health, and their potential anti-cancer properties are documented. We explore beneficial vitamins for oral potentially... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Micronutrients are vital for general and oral health, and their potential anti-cancer properties are documented. We explore beneficial vitamins for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC), assessing the therapeutic impacts of essential vitamin supplementation.
METHODS
We systematically review evidence on vitamin supplementation's therapeutic effects for OPMDs and OC. Relevant studies were identified through comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Web of Science until 16 May 2023. All studies underwent risk of bias using criteria modified from the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool.
RESULTS
We analysed 80 papers. Vitamin K, studied in vitro, shows promising therapeutic potential. Vitamin C, investigated in vivo (animals and humans), demonstrated mixed animal results and generally positive human trial effects. Vitamin A's efficacy varied, with positive monotherapy or adjunct effects. Vitamins B and D showed therapeutic benefits. Oral cancer research was extensive, with a focus on oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia among the 11 OPMDs. All bias levels were reported in 'selective reporting' and 'performance', except for "definitely high" in the 'selection', 'detection', and 'attrition/exclusion' domains.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of vitamin interventions for OPMDs and OC ranges from mixed to promising. Standardizing the study design and outcomes would enhance future research.
PubMed: 37888131
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13101520 -
Nutrients Dec 2023This systematic review aims to assess whether edible vegetable oils and fats fortified with vitamin A and/or D are effective and safe in improving vitamin intake and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Benefits and Harms of Edible Vegetable Oils and Fats Fortified with Vitamins A and D as a Public Health Intervention in the General Population: A Systematic Review of Interventions.
This systematic review aims to assess whether edible vegetable oils and fats fortified with vitamin A and/or D are effective and safe in improving vitamin intake and ameliorating deficiency states in the general population. In November 2022, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP (International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSI) investigating the fortification of edible vegetable oils and fats with either vitamin A or vitamin D or both as compared to the same vegetable oils and/or fats without vitamin A and D fortification or no interventions, in the general population, without age restriction. We assessed the methodological quality of included RCTs using Cochrane's risk of bias tool 2.0 and of NRSIs using ROBINS-I tool. We performed random-effects meta-analysis and assessed certainty of evidence using GRADE. We included eight studies. Available evidence showed no significant effect of fortification with vitamin A on serum retinol levels (RCTs: MD 0.35 µmol/L, 95% CI -0.43 to 1.12; two trials; 514 participants; low-certainty evidence; CCTs: MD 0.31 µmol/L, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.80; two trials; 205 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and on subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Low-certainty evidence showed no effect of vitamin D fortification on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration (MD 6.59 nmol/L, 95% CI -6.89 to 20.07; one trial; 62 participants). In conclusion, vitamin A-fortified vegetable oils and fats may result in little to no difference in serum retinol levels in general populations. The dose of vitamin A used in the trials may be safe but may not be sufficient to reduce subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Further, the evidence suggests that vitamin D fortification results in little to no difference in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration. Several aspects of providing fortified oils and fats to the general population as a public health intervention should be further investigated, including optimal fortification dose, effects on vitamin D deficiency and its clinical symptoms and potential adverse effects.
Topics: Humans; Vitamins; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vegetables; Public Health; Plant Oils; Food, Fortified; Vitamin K; Vitamin D
PubMed: 38140394
DOI: 10.3390/nu15245135 -
Molecular Psychiatry Oct 2023Adolescence represents a critical period for brain and behavioural health and characterised by the onset of mood, psychotic and anxiety disorders. In rodents,...
Adolescence represents a critical period for brain and behavioural health and characterised by the onset of mood, psychotic and anxiety disorders. In rodents, neurogenesis is very active during adolescence, when is particularly vulnerable to stress. Whether stress-related neurogenesis changes influence adolescence onset of psychiatric symptoms remains largely unknown. A systematic review was conducted on studies investigating changes in hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, and behaviour, occurring after adolescence stress exposure in mice both acutely (at post-natal days 21-65) and in adulthood. A total of 37 studies were identified in the literature. Seven studies showed reduced hippocampal cell proliferation, and out of those two reported increased depressive-like behaviours, in adolescent rodents exposed to stress. Three studies reported a reduction in the number of new-born neurons, which however were not associated with changes in cognition or behaviour. Sixteen studies showed acutely reduced hippocampal neuroplasticity, including pre- and post-synaptic plasticity markers, dendritic spine length and density, and long-term potentiation after stress exposure. Cognitive impairments and depressive-like behaviours were reported by 11 of the 16 studies. Among studies who looked at adolescence stress exposure effects into adulthood, seven showed that the negative effects of stress observed during adolescence on either cell proliferation or hippocampal neuroplasticity, cognitive deficits and depressive-like behaviour, had variable impact in adulthood. Treating adolescent mice with antidepressants, glutamate receptor inhibitors, glucocorticoid antagonists, or healthy diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, prevented or reversed those detrimental changes. Future research should investigate the translational value of these preclinical findings. Developing novel tools for measuring hippocampal neurogenesis in live humans, would allow assessing neurogenic changes following stress exposure, investigating relationships with psychiatric symptom onset, and identifying effects of therapeutic interventions.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Brain; Cognition; Hippocampus; Neurogenesis; Rodentia; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 37612364
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02229-2