The need and safety of vitamin supplementation in adults with obesity within 9 months post sleeve gastrectomy (SG): assessment based on intake.

The aim of the study was to assess the need and safety of vitamin supplementation in adults with obesity post bariatric surgery (SG), based on intake assessment. Patients with obesity class III, and with obesity class II with comorbidities were followed up at 3, 6 and 9 months post bariatric surgery. Based on a 4-day food record questionnaire, the intake of vitamins and calories was assessed and an interview regarding the consumption of supplements was conducted. The study showed a deficiency in the dietary intake of vitamin D, folate (B9) and vitamin B1 (in 93-100% of respondents), vitamins E and C (in 53-67% of respondents), vitamins A, PP and vitamins B2 and B6 (in 10 to 23% of respondents) and vitamin B12 (only 1 woman). The intake of multivitamin supplements was implemented by 72% of respondents, independently, all patients were taking a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin deficiencies were only reported in a small percentage of patients (3-17%), who did not take supplements throughout the observation period. Supplementation with vitamins D, E, C, B1 and folic acid (B9), used regularly, supplemented the nutritional deficiencies of patients. The intake of vitamin A, B2, PP, and B6 with supplements did not significantly affect the overall intake. Supplementation with vitamin B12 turned out to be unjustified to the nutritional recommendations. The dietary and/or supplemental intake of vitamins did not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL). The results of the study confirm the need to implement vitamin supplementation for bariatric patients and its safety.

Statement of the Committee of Human Nutrition Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences on the use of dietary supplements containing vitamins and minerals by adults.

The use of dietary supplements (supplementation) is the individual enrichment of the diet with ingredients naturally occurring in food. As a rule, dietary supplements should be used periodically. In nutritional practice, there are many indications for dietary supplementation, but the decision to take dietary supplements should be made by consumers wisely and only in justified situations, when there is a risk that the usual diet does not provide vitamins and minerals in an amount adequate to meet dietary recommendations. However, we should remember about the real dangers of taking too large doses of vitamins and minerals. Many people using dietary supplements, especially several types at the same time, may experience undesirable side effects and deterioration of health, and in addition, people taking medicines may seriously disrupt or weaken the effect of the drug, or even lack the therapeutic effect of the drug. The document presents 10 steps and rules for the use of dietary supplements available on the market, which are addressed to the general population.

The Need and Safety of Mineral Supplementation in Adults with Obesity Post Bariatric Surgery-Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG).

PURPOSE: Most of the research indicated that daily dietary intake of minerals in SG patients was lower than the current recommendations. The aim of the study was to assess the need and safety of a mineral supplementation practice in adults with obesity, at 3, 6, and 9 months post bariatric surgery-sleeve gastrectomy (SG). METHODS: The study included 24 women and 6 men. Based on a 4-day food record questionnaire, mineral and calorie intake was calculated at 3, 6, and 9 months after bariatric surgery (SG). Furthermore, an interview on supplement intake was also conducted. RESULTS: It was found that in both men and women, there was a dietary intake deficiency of calcium (97% of respondents), potassium (97%), magnesium (83%), sodium (60%), and zinc (53%). In women, the deficiencies also included iron (50%) and copper (29%). Only 72% of the patients took dietary supplements. The applied supplementation did not adjust for the required intake of calcium in all of the patients, as well as the intake of magnesium in the male patients. Low intake of sodium and potassium were not supplemented and should be corrected by diet modification. The patients did not require supplementation of phosphorus or manganese, while male patients did not require iron or copper supplementation. The dietary and/or supplemental intake of minerals did not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL). CONCLUSION: The results of the study confirm the need to implement personalized mineral supplementation for bariatric surgery patients.

Mechanistic aspects of carotenoid health benefits - where are we now?

Dietary intake and tissue levels of carotenoids have been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, brain-related diseases and some types of cancer. However, intervention trials with isolated carotenoid supplements have mostly failed to confirm the postulated health benefits. It has thereby been speculated that dosing, matrix and synergistic effects, as well as underlying health and the individual nutritional status plus genetic background do play a role. It appears that our knowledge on carotenoid-mediated health benefits may still be incomplete, as the underlying mechanisms of action are poorly understood in relation to human relevance. Antioxidant mechanisms - direct or via transcription factors such as NRF2 and NF-κB - and activation of nuclear hormone receptor pathways such as of RAR, RXR or also PPARs, via carotenoid metabolites, are the basic principles which we try to connect with carotenoid-transmitted health benefits as exemplified with described common diseases including obesity/diabetes and cancer. Depending on the targeted diseases, single or multiple mechanisms of actions may play a role. In this review and position paper, we try to highlight our present knowledge on carotenoid metabolism and mechanisms translatable into health benefits related to several chronic diseases.

From carotenoid intake to carotenoid blood and tissue concentrations - implications for dietary intake recommendations.

There is uncertainty regarding carotenoid intake recommendations, because positive and negative health effects have been found or are correlated with carotenoid intake and tissue levels (including blood, adipose tissue, and the macula), depending on the type of study (epidemiological vs intervention), the dose (physiological vs supraphysiological) and the matrix (foods vs supplements, isolated or used in combination). All these factors, combined with interindividual response variations (eg, depending on age, sex, disease state, genetic makeup), make the relationship between carotenoid intake and their blood/tissue concentrations often unclear and highly variable. Although blood total carotenoid concentrations <1000 nmol/L have been related to increased chronic disease risk, no dietary reference intakes (DRIs) exist. Although high total plasma/serum carotenoid concentrations of up to 7500 nmol/L are achievable after supplementation, a plateauing effect for higher doses and prolonged intake is apparent. In this review and position paper, the current knowledge on carotenoids in serum/plasma and tissues and their relationship to dietary intake and health status is summarized with the aim of proposing suggestions for a "normal," safe, and desirable range of concentrations that presumably are beneficial for health. Existing recommendations are likewise evaluated and practical dietary suggestions are included.

Effects of vitamin D on macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) hyperinflammatory response in the lungs of COVID-19 patients.

Vitamin D regulates homeostasis, anti-microbial response, and inflammation. The vitamin D receptors are expressed in the macrophages and other immune cells, regulating the transcription of many different genes, including those coding the anti-microbial peptides. One of the most severe complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection is the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by the hyperinflammatory response (commonly called cytokine storm) of the lung macrophages. Studies showed that Vitamin D deficiency increases the severity of the ARDS in COVID-19 infection. We discuss here how the vitamin D supplementation may influence macrophage and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) inflammatory response, subdue the hyperinflammatory response, and lessen the ARDS in COVID-19 patients.

Effect of Vitamin D Treatment on Dynamics of Stones Formation in the Urinary Tract and Bone Density in Children with Idiopathic Hypercalciuria.

Vitamin D supplementation in patients with urolithiasis and hypercalciuria is considered to be unsafe. We analyzed the impact of vitamin D supplementation on selected health status parameters in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria. The study included 36 children with urolithiasis resulting from excessive calcium excretion. The level of calcium and 25(OH)D (hydroxylated vitamin D - calcidiol) in serum, urinary calcium excretion and the presence of stones in urinary tract were assessed prospectively. Blood and urine samples were collected at the time when the patient was qualified for the study and every three months up to 24 month of vitamin D intake at a dose of 400 or 800 IU/day. At time zero and at 12, and 24 months of vitamin D supplementation, densitometry was performed. Supplementation with vitamin D caused a statistically significant increase in the concentration of 25(OH)D in serum. There were no significant changes in calcium concentration in serum, excretion of calcium in urine but also in bone density. There was no significant increase in the risk of formation or development of stones in the urinary tract. Supplementation with vitamin D (400-800 IU/day) in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria significantly increases 25(OH)D concentration, does not affect calciuria, but also does not improve bone density.

α-Tocopherol Protects the Heart, Muscles, and Testes from Lipid Peroxidation in Growing Male Rats Subjected to Physical Efforts.

The effect of α-tocopherol supplementation on adaptation to training is still equivocal. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of training and α-tocopherol supplementation on α-tocopherol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration in the rat liver, heart, muscles, and testes. Male Wistar rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups (nonsupplemented, not trained-C; nonsupplemented, trained-CT; supplemented, not trained-E; supplemented and trained-ET). During the 14-day experimental period, 2 mg/d of vitamin E as α-tocopherol acetate was administered to the animals (groups E and ET). Rats in the training group (CT and ET) were subjected to 15 minutes of treadmill running each day. The α-tocopherol levels in rat tissues were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lipid peroxides were determined by TBARS spectrophotometric method. α-Tocopherol had a significant impact on α-tocopherol concentration in all tissues. Training increased the α-tocopherol concentration in the heart and muscles but reduced it in the liver. Training also caused increased lipid peroxidation in the muscles, heart, and testes; but a higher α-tocopherol content in tissues reduced the TBARS level. The main finding of the study is that impaired α-tocopherol status and its adequate intake is needed to maintain optimal status to prevent damage to the skeletal and cardiac muscles as well as the testes in growing individuals.

Rapid Weight Loss and Dietary Inadequacies among Martial Arts Practitioners from Poland.

Healthy nutrition and maintaining a normal body weight are very important for reducing the risk of various diseases not only among the general population, but also among athletes, especially combat sport athletes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of rapid weight loss (RWL) and to indicate eventual dietary inadequacies among professional martial arts practitioners. Sixty-two male athletes (aged: 23 ± 4) completed a questionnaire (i.e., frequency of food group consumption, questions about training and RWL) and single 24-h dietary recall. This study confirmed the high prevalence of RWL in athletes (58%) for two to three days before the competition, which allowed for reduction of 3.4 ± 1.0 kg (4.3 ± 1.5%) of their body weight. Many dietary inaccuracies were found such as: lower than recommended by nutrition experts, level of consumption of dairy products, grain products, fruit, and vegetables, and insufficient intake of energy, carbohydrates, minerals (especially iodine, potassium, calcium) and vitamins (especially D, folate, C, E) during the training day. Adequate nutrition is a natural support for the whole training process, and may allow for regulation of body weight in a longer period and in a safer manner; thus, there is a need for nutrition education dedicated to athletes and their trainers.

α-Tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and ß-carotene protect against oxidative stress but reveal no direct influence on p53 expression in rats subjected to stress.

We hypothesized that α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and ß-carotene, either applied individually or in combination, would modulate redox homeostasis and affect the regulation of genes involved in DNA repair under stress conditions. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the influence of these vitamins, either supplied individually or in combination, on the plasma lipid peroxide level and the hepatic level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in rats. We also evaluated the expression of p53 and Mdm2 protein in the intestinal epithelium, as these proteins are involved in the cellular regulation of DNA damage repair. Male Wistar rats (n = 112) were supplemented with α-tocopherol (2 mg), ascorbic acid (12 mg), and ß-carotene (1 mg), both individually and in combination, for 14 days; 32 control rats were treated with placebo. Half of the animals in each group (n = 8) were subjected to 15-minute treadmill running at 20 m/min to cause exercise-induced oxidative stress. A statistically significant reduction in lipid peroxide levels was observed in the plasma of rats subjected to exercise and given 2 or 3 of the antioxidants (P < .0001). Exercise, as well as coadministration of the antioxidants, had no significant effect on the amount of DNA damage. Downward trends in the level of p53 protein expression were observed both in exercised and nonexercised animals, especially when the studied vitamins were administered in combination. Our findings suggest that α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and ß-carotene, when given concurrently, have primarily antioxidant effects on lipids under stress but do not significantly affect the regulation of p53 gene expression.

[Assessment of stimulant use especially caffeine intake in selected group of the breastfeeding women]. / Ocena stosowania uzywek ze szczególnym uwzglednieniem spoiycia kofeiny w wybranej grupie kobiet karmiacych piersia.

BACKGROUND: Taking into account the negative impact of stimulants, including alcohol, nicotine and excessive consumption of caffeine on the baby and his mother, a very important is to stop or to restrict their use, especially during pregnancy and lactation. OBJECTIVE: Purpose of the study was to evaluate alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, tobacco smoke exposure and caffeine consumption in breastfeeding women from Masovian Province. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The survey was conducted from September 2010 till March 2011. The study group consisted of 102 breastfeeding women aged 19-38 years. Information on alcohol consumption, smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke was obtained by questionnaire interview. The results about caffeine intake were obtained using 3-day dietary records method and food frequency questionnaire method. Source of information about the caffeine content in products were the published literature, in the case of energy drinks the manufacturer's label. RESULTS: Among all women surveyed (n = 102), up 17% of respondents declared alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking of 6% and 15% of passive exposure to tobacco smoke. The average caffeine consumption in a group called "caffeine consumers" (n = 94) was 127.4 +/- 76.0 mg/person/day for 3-day dietary records method and 163.4 +/- 100.6 mg/person/day for the food frequency questionnaire method. The correlation coefficient between the used methods was r = 0.71 (p < 0.001). The main sources of caffeine, regardless of the method of data collection were: black tea, which provided about 60% of caffeine and ground coffee (about 20%) and instant coffee (about 13%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite general knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking cigarette/tobacco smoke exposure and the consumption of alcohol and foods high in caffeine, some respondents did not halt the use of these stimulants during lactation, indicating a need for an education in this field.

[Evaluation of iron, vitamin B12 and folate intake in the selected group of women at childbearing age]. / Ocena spozycia zelaza, witaminy B12 i folianów w grupie kobiet w wieku prokreacyjnym.

The aim of this work was to evaluate iron, vitamin B12 and folate intake in the selected group of young females, aged 21-28 years. The study was carried out in winter 2008 with the use of 3-day dietary food records method. It has been shown too low mean iron (9.7 mg/d) and folate (270 microg/d) intake, on the level of 53% and 68% RDA respectively and also to high mean vitamin B12 (3.3 microg/d) intake (136% RDA). About 12% of questioned women took supplements, which supply additionally about 9.0 mg of iron, 192 microg of folate and near 1 microg of vitamin B12, what constitute together respectively 115, 127 and 199% RDA. Place of dwelling, BMI, smoking habits, physical activity have no influence an iron, vitamin B12 and folate intake.

[Evaluation of antioxidant vitamins intake by students of Warsaw University of Life Science]. / Ocena spozycia witamin antyoksydacyjnych przez studentów SGGW w Warszawie.

The aim of this study was the assessment of antioxidant vitamins intake among students of the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences of Warsaw University of Life Science. The investigation was done among 145 students at the age 21-28 in the 2008 year. Data about food intake were collected using a 3-day dietary records method. On this basis intake of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E and C was calculated The results shows that the quantity of antioxidant vitamins was adequate for vitamin C (64 mg/d, 102% EAR), but for vitamin A and E was higher then recommended value (698 microg retinol equivalent/d, 135% EAR and 11,5 mg tocopherol equivalent/d, 138% of AI). About 12-15% students used supplements, providing additional 574 microg vitamin A, 116 mg vitamin C and 4 mg vitamin E. It covered together with food intakes 260%, 298% EAR value and 199% of AI value, in case of vitamin E. In smokers, for which recommendations of intake antioxidant vitamins are slightly different, it was found too low their intake.

[Assessment of children and teenagers daily food rations in one of the orphanages]. / Ocena sposobu zywienia dzieci i mlodziezy z wybranego domu dziecka.

The studies on content of basic nutrients, selected minerals and vitamins in daily food rations among children and teenagers aged 7 to 18, living in one of the Poznan orphanage, in four seasons were carried out in the period between July 2007 and May 2008. The eating habits were assessed on the basis of stock reports (ten-day menu). On the basis of the obtained findings the improper distribution of energy provided with individual components was stated. The content of energy differed from the recommended values (about 24%), proteins (about 102%), fat (about 28%) and cholesterol (about 45%). The study showed too high intake level of zinc (about 47%), copper (about 71%), vitamin A (102%), B-group vitamins (44% to 163%) and too low intake of potassium, calcium and vitamin C (about 20%). The research did not find any statistically significant relationships between the consumption of individual nutrient elements and seasons.

[Assessment of vitamins and minerals intake with supplements in pregnant women]. / Ocena spozycia witamin i skladników mineralnych z suplementami diety przez kobiety w ciazy.

The aim of the work was to assess the application of diet supplements in pregnant women, as well as the intake of vitamins and minerals with pharmaceuticals. Sixty women in age 19 - 40 years coming from the Mazowsze district were examined. The information about applying supplements was obtained using questionnaire method. The intake of vitamin and mineral supplements before and during pregnancy was declared on the level of 55% and 98.3% respectively. The average intake of vitamin D (157%), folic acid (128%), vitamin B2 (125%), vitamin C (121%), iron (120%), iodine and zinc (113%) from supplements was above recommended values. The average intake of vitamin B1, B12 and B6 from supplements was about 95-105% of RDA. The lowest average consumption was noted for vitamin A (60%) as well as calcium and magnesium (10-12% of recommended value). Pregnant women who have lived in country consumed less vitamins and minerals from supplements, however differences were statistically significant in case vitamin A, E, magnesium, cooper, iodine and manganese.

[Assessment of vitamins and minerals intake with supplements during breast-feeding]. / Ocena spozycia witamin i skladników mineralnych z suplementami diety wsród kobiet karmiacych.

Assessment of supplements intake during breast-feeding was aim of the work. Seventy three women were examined in age 19-42 years coming from the Lublin province. The information about applying supplements during breast-feeding was obtained using questionnaire method. Achieved results served for calculations of taking vitamins and minerals coming from supplements. During breast-feeding 48% women accepted supplements. Average intakes of vitamin B2 (113%), B6 (120%), folic acid (144%) and vitamin D (166%) from supplements were above 100% recommended values. The highest average consumption was noted for iron (229% of recommended value), however the lowest on level 10-35% recommendations for vitamin A (33%), calcium (11%), selenium (12%) and magnesium (20%). Nearly 100% of the norm realization was obtained in case of the vitamin C (93%), E (102%), PP (105%), B1 (107%) and zinc (99%).