Dietary supplements - 2

Based on the perceived need for supplementation, the consumer will be seeking a product to fill the need. While the manufacturer and the regulatory agencies must play major roles in ensuring the safety of dietary supplements available to the public, the consumer who makes the choice to purchase and use dietary supplements can be proactive and take control of what he or she purchases to consume.

Dietary supplements - 1

A dietary supplement is a product taken by mouth which is intended to increase usual intake of dietary ingredients it contains.

Chromium and your health

Chromium is one of the most common elements that exists in the environment in several oxidation states, principally as (i) metallic (Cr0), (ii) trivalent (chromium 3+), which is biologically active and found in food and nutrition supplements (iii) hexavalent (chromium 6+), largely synthesized by the oxidation of the more common and naturally occuring trivalent chromium. This is highly toxic and used in industries. Trivalent chromium is an essential nutrient with very low toxicity, found in most food and nutrition supplements, and is required in the diet in trace or small amounts, thus it is deemed a micronutrient. Its primary function is in carbohydrate and lipid (fat) metabolism.

The embryocidal effect of Zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (Cd) in pregnant Mona strain rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the toxicity of zinc and cadmium on pregnant Mona strain rats. METHODS: A total of 21 female rats, divided into 3 groups of 7 rats each, were mated, and on the 8th day of gestation, these pregnant rates were injected subcutaneoulsly with 3 mg/kg Zinc sulphate, Group 1:3 mg/kg Cadmium sulphate, Group II, and normal saline, Group III. Animals were fed purina lab chow and given water ad libitum. On the 15th day, animals were sacrified with ether, the uteri were removed and examined. Observations on embryocidal effects and foetal abnormalities were recorded. RESULTS: Zinc at a dose of 3 mg/kg administered subcutaneously on the 8th day of gestation had a marked embryocidal effect (13.8 percent). This was observed to a much lesser degree (1.5 percent) with Cd treatment. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the need for further research and a degree of caution in recommending the liberal use of zinc as a dietray supplement (especially in pregnancy). Further detailed analysis of the degree of air pollution and the vegetable material grown in areas with high concentrations of heavy metals is recommended.(Au)

Guidelines for Young Child Feeding in the Caribbean - Part III

This section is the final of three parts on the revised guidelines for young child feeding by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI). In the previous section, we covered the areas of nutrition of the newborn, feeding of low birthweight infants and those with special requirements, and replacement and complementary feedings. This section deals with the guidelines on vitamin and mineral supplementation, and the management of feeding-related problems in early childhood. The section also discusses nutrition policy issues and nutrition in relation to the promotion of adequate nutrition in early childhood.(Au)

Guidelines for young child feeding in the Caribbean - Part I

The guidelines for young child feeding have been developed and prepared as a supportive-tool primarily for health personnel involved in the care of infants and children in Caribbean countries. The recommendations address some practical aspects of nutrition before, during and after pregnancy. These are: The benefits of breastfeeding and strategies for its promotion, protection and support; review of infant feeding options for mothers with HIV and other infections; nutrition of the newborn; feeding of low birth weight infants and those with special requirements; replacement feeding for infants who are not breastfed; complementary feeding with emphasis on the continuation of breastfeeding for two years and beyond; guidelines on vitamin and mineral supplementation; management of feeding-related problems in early childhood; policy issues and nutrition education in relation to the promotion of adequate nutrition in early childhood.(Au)

Vitamin A and zinc supplementation of preschool children

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether supplementation of vitamin A and/or zinc (Zn) improved serum levels of these nutrients and/or height and weight gains in preschool children, 22 to 66 months, living in Belize, Central America. METHODS: Subjects received either Zn, vitamin A, Zn and vitamin A or a placebo (70 mg Zn and/or 3030 RE vitamin A, once per week) for 6 months in a 2x2 factorial design. Forty-three children, from a population of 104 prescreened, completed the study; they were selected, prior to treatment, for low/marginal serum concentrations of these micronutrients. RESULTS: Serum Zn levels were greater (16 percent, p < 0.001) for those who received Zn. In contrast, after vitamin A treatment, there were no differences in serum vitamin A among groups. Although increases in height (+4.4 cm, p<0.001) and weight (+0.79 kg, p<0.001), compared with baseline values, were numerically greatest for children who received both supplements, only the vitamin A supplementation effect was significant, resulting in increased height (+1.4 cm, p<0.002) and greater weight gain (+0.15 kg, p<0.03) compared to those receiving no vitamin A. Vitamin A supplementation alone significantly increased (p<0.001) hemoglobin concentration. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the preschool children in this study, prescreened for low/marginal serum concentrations from a larger population prior to treatment, were enduring inadequate vitamin A and, to a lesser degree, Zn nutriture. Height and weight gain were significantly increased in the subjects who received a single weekly supplement 3030 RE of vitamin A.(Au)

Integration through education

As herbal and nutritional supplements increasingly find their way onto the shelves of pharmacies and health-food shops, the healthier provider and consumer may find themselves confused and inappropriately informed as to the safe and rational use of these products. As such, there must be focused and unbiased education targeting the consumer, the orthodox healthcare advisor (such as pharmacists, nurses stc.), and the alternative/complementary healthcare advisor (such as massage therapists, health-food shop employee etc.) The historical and traditional use of herbs can no longer be regarded as the main basis for the recommendation of use in our modern society. Recommendations must be made based on current evidence of safety, efficacy and quality assurance. Specialized education will encourage more scientific investigations and evlauations of herbal products, appropriate regulations for the maintenance of safe, high-quality products and an increased emphasis on herb-drug interactions. One of the first steps towards integration is proper education of all involved (AU)

Early childhood supplementation and cognitive development, during and after intervention

Studies of the effects of supplementation during childhood have been reviewed previously and a meta-analysis of the concurrent effects on development was recently conducted. This review looks at five studies in Latin America and the Caribbean, in which the effects of supplementation have been assesses during the intervention period, as well as one or more years after the interventions ended. These studies are particularly relevant when considering the long-term effects of early childhood undernutrition and the policy implications for human resource development. The studies that will be reviewed were conducted in Mexico; Guatemala; Cali, Colombia; Bogota, Colombia; and Jamaica (AU)