Evaluation of daily supplementation of fertitonex on different semen parameters in idiopathic male infertility: a randomized double blind placebo controlled cross over study.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of fertitonex containing L-carnitine L-tartrate together with other micronutrients on different semen parameters in idiopathic male infertility as well as male reproductive hormones. METHODS: 100 randomized infertile patients were recruited from July 2023 to February 2024. They were randomized into two groups. Group (A) received fertitonex twice daily for the first 3 months. Group (B) received placebo twice daily for the first 3 months. Crossover was done after 1 month wash-out period for additional 3 months. RESULTS: Group (A) who started fertitonex first showed significant improvement in sperms concentration and motility and progressive motility as well as significant reduction in abnormal forms after 3 months from beginning the study (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Interestingly, these improvements continued for additional 3 months after placebo intake (p < 0.001, p 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Group (B) who started placebo first showed significant improvement in sperms concentration and motility and progressive motility as well as significant reduction in abnormal forms after 6 months from beginning the study (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). LH level was significantly higher among group (A) compared to group (B) at baseline and 3 months and 6 months (p value 0.02, 0.032. 0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION: We finally concluded that fertitonex is an effective, tolerable and safe drug that can be used for treating idiopathic male infertility.

Nutritional Considerations of Plant-Based Diets for People With Food Allergy.

Plant-based diets (PBD) have been reported throughout history, but are increasingly common in current times, likely in part due to considerable emphasis on climate change and human health and wellness. Many dietary organisations around the world endorse well-planned, nutritionally adequate PBD, which exclude some or all forms of animal-based foods. However, special attention must be given to patients who follow PBD and also have food allergy (FA), as avoidance may increase the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, including poor growth in children, weight loss in adults and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Given the increasing prevalence of both PBD and food allergen avoidance diets, healthcare providers are likely to counsel patients with FA who also follow a PBD. In this review, an overview of PBD in patients with FA is provided, including recent trends, macro- and micronutrient needs, and growth for children and weight gain considerations for adults. With regard to a PBD, special attention should be given to ensure adequate fat and protein intake and improving the bioavailability of several minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and magnesium, and vitamins such as A, B2, B12 and D. Although the collective data on growth amongst children following a PBD are varied in outcome and may be influenced in part by the type of PBD, growth must be regularly monitored and in adults weight gain assessed as part of any clinical assessment in those people with FA.

Managing nutrition-biodiversity trade-offs on coral reefs.

Coral reefs support an incredible abundance and diversity of fish species, with reef-associated fisheries providing important sources of income, food, and dietary micronutrients to millions of people across the tropics. However, the rapid degradation of the world's coral reefs and the decline in their biodiversity may limit their capacity to supply nutritious and affordable seafood while meeting conservation goals for sustainability. Here, we conduct a global-scale analysis of how the nutritional quality of reef fish assemblages (nutritional contribution to the recommended daily intake of calcium, iron, and zinc contained in an average 100 g fish on the reef) relates to key environmental, socioeconomic, and ecological conditions, including two key metrics of fish biodiversity. Our global analysis of more than 1,600 tropical reefs reveals that fish trophic composition is a more important driver of micronutrient concentrations than socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Specifically, micronutrient density increases as the relative biomass of herbivores and detritivores increases at lower overall biomass or under high human pressure. This suggests that the provision of essential micronutrients can be maintained or even increase where fish biomass decreases, reinforcing the need for policies that ensure sustainable fishing, and that these micronutrients are retained locally for nutrition. Furthermore, we found a negative association between micronutrient density and two metrics of fish biodiversity, revealing an important nutrition-biodiversity trade-off. Protecting reefs with high levels of biodiversity maintains key ecosystem functions, whereas sustainable fisheries management in locations with high micronutrient density could sustain the essential supply of micronutrients to coastal human communities.

Vitabiotic: An alternative approach to diabetic foot.

Diabetic foot ulcers and infections are complications that can result in significant morbidity such as the need for amputations, especially in uncontrolled diabetes, thereby profoundly impacting quality of life. While traditional treatments like wound care and antibiotics are effective, there is growing interest in the role of micronutrients (such as vitamins C, D, E, zinc and magnesium) in improving outcomes. This study aims to evaluate how these micronutrients affect diabetic foot infections and the need for amputation, offering insights to enhance overall prognosis. Patients who were hospitalised with a diagnosis of diabetic foot infection in the Infectious Diseases Department of Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between 1 April 2022, and 31 January 2023 were included in the study. The patients' socio-demographic information, characteristics of diabetic wounds, operation history, as well as their levels of micronutrients recorded on the case report form. A total of 202 patients were included in the study. The most common micronutrient deficiencies were vitamin D (69%), vitamin C (64%) and zinc (49%). The amputation rates were significantly higher in patients with deficiencies vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin D (p < 0.005). Our research revealed a significant prevalence of vitamin deficiencies among the participants, and we observed a noteworthy correlation between amputation rates and these deficiencies. Although these findings show promise, it is essential to emphasise that micronutrient supplements should not replace traditional treatments but should rather be considered as a warning sign for preventing complications, particularly amputation or extremity loss.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Subfertility: A Comprehensive Review of Current Evidence.

Subfertility, a condition marked by a reduced capacity to conceive naturally, affects a significant proportion of couples globally. Nutrition is a fundamental aspect of reproductive health, with various nutrients essential in maintaining optimal reproductive function. This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between nutritional deficiencies and subfertility. It examines key micronutrients such as vitamins D, E, C, and B12, as well as minerals such as zinc, iron, selenium, and magnesium, and their impacts on fertility. The review also considers macronutrients and the importance of a balanced diet in supporting reproductive health. Drawing on an extensive body of clinical evidence and studies, this review highlights how deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to hormonal imbalances, impaired gametogenesis, and suboptimal pregnancy outcomes. It discusses the efficacy of nutritional interventions, including dietary supplements and lifestyle modifications, in improving fertility. Furthermore, it addresses the emerging research on personalized nutrition and its potential to enhance reproductive outcomes. The review underscores the necessity for healthcare providers to assess and address the nutritional status of patients with subfertility. It provides practical recommendations for developing nutritional plans, counseling patients, and integrating nutritional interventions into fertility treatments. By offering a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence, this review aims to inform clinical practice and promote further research into the role of nutrition in enhancing fertility.

Role of selenium in the pathophysiology of cardiorenal anaemia syndrome.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have multiple bidirectional mechanisms, and anaemia is one of the critical factors that are associated with the progression of the two disorders [referred to as cardiorenal anaemia syndrome (CRAS)]. Several lines of evidence indicate that CRAS confers a worse prognosis, suggesting the need to clarify the underlying pathophysiology. Among the micronutrients (trace elements) that are essential to humans, inadequate iron status has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of CRAS; however, the roles of other trace elements remain unclear. Selenium critically regulates the function of selenoproteins, in which selenocysteine is present at the active centres. The human genome encodes 25 selenoproteins, and accumulating data indicate that they regulate diverse physiological processes, including cellular redox homeostasis, calcium flux, thyroid hormone activity and haematopoiesis, all of which directly or indirectly influence cardiac function. The essential role of selenium in human health is underscored by the fact that its deficiency results in multiple disorders, among which are cardiomyopathy and abnormal erythrocyte morphology. Studies have shown that selenium deficiency is not uncommon in CKD patients with poor nutritional status, suggesting that it may be an under-recognized cause of anaemia and cardiovascular disorders in these patients. In this review, we discuss the role of selenium in the pathophysiology of CKD, particularly in the context of the interconnection among CKD, cardiac dysfunction and anaemia. Given that selenium deficiency is associated with treatment-resistant anaemia and an increased risk of CVD, its role as a key modulator of CRAS merits future investigation.

Exploring the vitamin biosynthesis landscape of the human gut microbiota.

The human gut microbiota possesses the capacity to synthesize vitamins, especially B group vitamins, which are recognized as indispensable for various biological processes both among members of these bacterial communities and host cells. Accordingly, vitamin production by intestinal commensals has attracted significant interest. Nevertheless, our current understanding of bacterial vitamin synthesis is primarily based on individual genomic and monoculture investigations, therefore not providing an overall view of the biosynthetic potential of complex microbial communities. In the current study, we utilized over 100 bacterial genes known to be involved in the biosynthesis of B group and K vitamins to assess the corresponding vitamin biosynthetic potential of approximately 8,000 human gut microbiomes. Our analyses reveal that host-associated factors, such as age and geographical origin, appear to influence the diversity and abundance of vitamin biosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, we identify gut microbiota members that substantially contribute to these biosynthetic functions at each stage of human life. Interestingly, inference of microbial co-associations and network relationships uncovered the apparent key role played by folate and cobalamin in equilibrium establishment of the infant and adult gut microbial communities, respectively.IMPORTANCEOverall, this study expands our understanding of microbe-mediated vitamin biosynthesis in the human gut and may provide potential novel targets to improve availability of these essential micronutrients in the host.

Bouillon fortification as a strategy to address inequities in micronutrient adequacy of diets in Nigeria.

Bouillon is a widely consumed condiment in many West African countries, including Nigeria. Although Nigeria has mandatory fortification standards for multiple food vehicles, bouillon fortification could help address remaining gaps in micronutrient intake. Using household food consumption data, we used the nutrient density method to model the additional contribution of bouillon fortified with vitamin A (40-250 µg/g bouillon), folic acid (20-120 µg/g), vitamin B12 (0.2-2 µg/g), iron (0.6-5 mg/g), and zinc (0.6-5 mg/g) for meeting micronutrient requirements of women of reproductive age (WRA) and children aged 6-59 months. Accounting for existing fortification programs, our results showed that, except for iron, the prevalence of inadequacy was substantially higher among WRA and children living in poorer and rural households. Given the ubiquity of bouillon consumption, bouillon fortification has the potential to virtually eliminate vitamin A, folate, and vitamin B12 inadequacy, reduce the prevalence of zinc inadequacy by over 20 percentage points, and improve equity in the micronutrient adequacy of diets across socioeconomic strata and urban and rural residence. Our results also suggested that designing a bouillon fortification program would require careful planning to balance reductions in inadequacy with the risk of high intakes. This evidence provides important input into decisions around bouillon fortification in Nigeria.

Improving Vaccine Response through Probiotics and Micronutrient Supplementation: Evaluating the Role of TLR5 in Adult Female BALB/c Mice.

BACKGROUND: The role of probiotics and micronutrients in improving immune system function and response to vaccination has been proven. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotics enriched with micronutrients on the immunogenicity of PastoCovac® vaccine. METHODS: The probiotic supplement BioBoost® and PastoCovac® vaccine, which contain six expressed receptor-binding domains (RBD) and conjugated with tetanus toxin, were administered concurrently. The safety and efficacy were assessed by determining Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers to RBD and cytokines, mRNA expression of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) 5, and clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Results revealed that the administration of the probiotics enriched with micronutrients and vitamins for 14 days before the first vaccine dose, followed by continued supplementation for 14 days after the first dose, and in conjunction with the second vaccine dose, yielded the most significant elevation in interleukin 4 (IL-4), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF alpha), Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG levels within the supernatant samples collected from spleen cultures with the highest expression of TLR5 genes in intestinal samples, compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that the inclusion of probiotics enriched with micronutrients and vitamins significantly enhanced the immunogenicity of the PastoCovac® vaccine. Based on the recommendation to administer third and fourth vaccine doses, particularly for vulnerable and elderly individuals, the utilization of supplements containing probiotics is expected to favorably influence immune responses.

Supplementation practices among pregnant women and those trying to conceive: a population-representative survey in Vancouver, Canada.

Dietary supplements including vitamins, minerals, and natural health products are commonly consumed by those aiming to optimize fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this survey was to describe supplementation practices among individuals who were pregnant or trying to conceive in Vancouver, Canada. An online survey was conducted among 500 individuals who were pregnant (n = 250) or trying to conceive (n = 250). Participants met a substantial proportion of vitamin and mineral recommendations through supplements alone. Exceptions included calcium, magnesium, and choline, with median (interquartile range (IQR)) supplementation doses reported by those who were pregnant and trying to conceive, respectively, of: 250 (200 and 250 mg) and 250 (200 and 250 mg), 50 (50 and 75 mg) and 50 (50 and 90 mg), and 53 (10 and 150 mg) and 55 (10 and 100 mg), as compared to perinatal recommendations of 1000 mg/day (calcium), 350 mg/day (magnesium), and 450 mg/day (choline). Conversely, median (IQR) doses of folate reported by those who were pregnant and trying to conceive, respectively, were: 1000 (780 and 1000 µg) and 1000 (800 and 1000 µg), with ∼70% overall (337/471) reporting doses ≥1000 µg (the tolerable upper intake level). Most participants (451/500; 90%) reported supplementation with a prenatal multivitamin; of these, 83% reported that supplementation occurred daily. Overall, as diet was not considered, we cannot ascertain whether recommendations for calcium, magnesium, and choline were met through the combination of supplements and foods; however, we believe that additional supplementation with choline may be required to meet recommendations in pregnancy. Excessive folate supplementation has been previously identified as a concern throughout North America; here, we provide further evidence for excessively high doses consumed via supplements.

Nutrient analysis of three low-carbohydrate diets differing in carbohydrate content.

Introduction: Low-carbohydrate diets are increasing in popularity. Despite clinical evidence demonstrating their safety and efficacy, concerns regarding the nutrient adequacy of low-carbohydrate diets persist. The aims of this study were to assess the nutrient adequacy of three 7-day meal plans that delivered 20 (VLCD20), 40 (VLCD40), and 100 (LCD100) grams of net carbohydrate per day respectively. Methods: Nutrient analyses were conducted using USDA Food Data Central. Results: All three low-carbohydrate meal plans exceeded recommendations for vitamins A, C, D, E, K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate and B12 in males and females 31-70 years and exceeded calcium recommendations for adults 31-50 years but remained below the Tolerable Upper Intake Level. VLCD40 and LCD100 met or exceeded fiber recommendations for females ages 31-70 years and were adequate for males 51-70 years. None of the meal plans contributed meaningful amounts of added sugar. The plans exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein for adults ages 31-70 years of age but were within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range of 10-35% of energy. The plans slightly exceeded recommendations for saturated fat and sodium but were lower in these nutrients than the average American diet and had more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 and sodium to potassium ratios than is typical. All three meals plans met or exceeded the Estimated Average Requirement for micronutrients in females ages 31-50 years, the population group most likely to consume low-carbohydrate diets. Discussion: Well-constructed low-carbohydrate meal plans can be nutritionally adequate in adults.

Delineating the soil physicochemical and microbiological factors conferring disease suppression in organic farms.

Organic farming utilizes farmyard manure, compost, and organic wastes as sources of nutrients and organic matter. Soil under organic farming exhibits increased microbial diversity, and thus, becomes naturally suppressive to the development of soil-borne pathogens due to the latter's competition with resident microbial communities. Such soils that exhibit resistance to soil-borne phytopathogens are called disease-suppressive soils. Based on the phytopathogen suppression range, soil disease suppressiveness is categorised as specific- or general- disease suppression. Disease suppressiveness can either occur naturally or can be induced by manipulating soil properties, including the microbiome responsible for conferring protection against soil-borne pathogens. While the induction of general disease suppression in agricultural soils is important for limiting pathogenic attacks on crops, the factors responsible for the phenomenon are yet to be identified. Limited efforts have been made to understand the systemic mechanisms involved in developing disease suppression in organically farmed soils. Identifying the critical factors could be useful for inducing disease suppressiveness in conducive soils as a cost-effective alternative to the application of pesticides and fungicides. Therefore, this review examines the soil properties, including microbiota, and assesses indicators related to disease suppression, for the process to be employed as a tactical option to reduce pesticide use in agriculture.

Overweight and vitamin D deficiency are common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disease with unknown etiology. Poor dietary intake with nutritional deficiency and overweight have been described to increase the risk of IBS. The aim of the present study was to compare weight and circulating levels of micronutrients in IBS compared with healthy controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IBS and healthy volunteers were recruited. Participants had to complete a dietary diary book and the questionnaires Rome IV, IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), and visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS). Weight and height were measured, and blood samples were drawn. C-reactive protein (CRP), cobalamin, folate, iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D were analyzed. Differences were calculated between groups and generalized linear model for regressions was adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR). RESULTS: IBS patients (n = 260) were elder than controls (n = 50) (44.00 (33.25-56.00) vs. 37.85 (30.18-45.48) years; p = 0.012). After adjustment for age, both weight (ß: 5.880; 95% CI: 1.433-10.327; p = 0.010, FDR = 0.020) and body mass index (BMI) (ß: 2.02; 95% CI: 0.68-3.36; p = 0.003, FDR = 0.012) were higher in patients. Among IBS participants, 48.1% were overweight/obese compared with 26.0% in controls (p = 0.007). Diarrhea-predominated IBS had highest weight (p < 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.077). CRP and cobalamin were higher in patients than controls (p = 0.010 vs. p = 0.007), whereas folate was highest in controls (p = 0.001). IBS patients had lower intake of vegetables (p = 0.026), dairy products (p = 0.004), and cereals (p = 0.010) compared with controls. Despite 21.5% of IBS patients were taking vitamin D supplements, 23.65% of them had vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L, compared with 26.0% observed in the control group (p = 0.720). Vitamin D levels were lower in overweight than in normal weight IBS patients (60 (48-73) nmol/L vs. 65 (53-78) nmol/L, p = 0.022). Vitamin D correlated with cobalamin and folate but correlated inversely with TIBC and BMI. IBS patients had a high degree of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, which were inversely associated with iron levels. Extraintestinal symptoms were associated with increased BMI. CONCLUSION: IBS patients were often overweight or obese, with low vitamin D levels. High burden of extraintestinal symptoms were associated with overweight and lower iron levels. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05192603 (Date of registration 11/29/2021) and NCT03306381 (Date of registration 09/18/2017), respectively.

Genetically predicted circulating concentrations of micronutrients and risk of autoimmune thyroiditis: a Mendelian randomized study.

Background: Micronutrients play pivotal roles in modulating various aspects of the immune response. However, the existing literature on the association between micronutrients and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) remains limited and contentious. To address this gap, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate potential links between genetically predicted concentrations of six micronutrients (Copper (Cu), Iron (Ir), Calcium (Ca), Vitamin D (VD), Vitamin C (VC), Zinc (Zn)) and the risk of AIT. Method: Utilizing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in individuals of European descent, we employed MR methodologies to elucidate the interplay between micronutrients and AIT. Three distinct MR techniques were employed: Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, and Weighted Median Estimator (WME). Additionally, we evaluated outcome heterogeneity using Cochran's Q statistic and assessed pleiotropy using the MR-Egger intercept. Result: IVW analysis revealed no substantial evidence supporting a significant impact of genetically predicted micronutrient concentrations on AIT risk (Cu: OR = 0.918, P = 0.875; Ir: OR = 0.653, P = 0.264; Ca: OR = 0.964, P = 0.906; VD: OR = 0.717, P = 0.378; VC: OR = 0.986, P = 0.875; Zn: OR = 0.789, P = 0.539). Cochran's Q test for IVW indicated no notable heterogeneity. Moreover, the MR-Egger intercept method suggested the presence of horizontal pleiotropy between serum VC levels and AIT (MR-Egger intercept = -0.037, p = 0.026), while no such pleiotropy was observed for other micronutrients. Conclusion: Our MR analysis does not support a causal relationship between genetically predicted concentrations of six micronutrients (Cu, Ir, Ca, VD, VC, and Zn) and the risk of AIT.

Micronutrient and antinutrient content of semi-processed fruit peels: Towards boosting immunity.

Background: Fruits are excellent sources of micronutrients; hence, their consumption is highly recommended. However, fruit peels, often discarded, despite some being edible have been reported to contain essential nutrients and antioxidants, which contribute to disease prevention and well-being. Aim: This study sought to evaluate the micronutrient and antinutrient content of 10 edible fruit peels namely, orange, mango, pineapple, banana, lemon, mandarin, red apple, cucumber, guava and pawpaw peels. Setting: Laboratory analyses of the fruit peels were conducted at the University of Calabar, in a well-ventilated and temperature controlled environment to ensure accurate results. Methods: The research design was quantitative and experimental; laboratory analyses were carried out to determine the minerals, vitamins and antinutrients in fruit peels using AOAC standard methods. Data were analysed using ANOVA on SPSS version 20.0. Results: Calcium was the most predominant of the minerals analysed, with values ranging from 33.12 ± 0.05 mg/100 g (cucumber peels) to 72.04 ± 0.08 mg/100 g (mango peels); calcium was followed by magnesium. Mandarin, banana and pineapple peels had statistically similar (p > 0.05) content of zinc (about 1.2 mg/100g), which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than others. Mandarin peels had significantly higher content (100.48 ± 2.03 mg/100 g) of vitamin C, while cucumber peels recorded the lowest (27.50 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). The results show significant concentrations of micronutrients such as iron, selenium and vitamin K; among the antinutrients, hydrogen cyanide had the highest concentrations, followed by phytate. The values were within safe limits. Conclusion: Therefore, the processing of fruit peels, for use as dietary additives to enrich foods and boost immunity, should be promoted. Contribution: The study shows the potential of fruit peels as food additives.

Causal Effect of Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake on Stroke: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

(1) Background: Estimating the causal association between nutrient intake, as a modifiable risk factor, and stroke risk is beneficial for the prevention and management of stroke. However, observational studies are unavoidably influenced by confounding factors and reverse causation. (2) Methods: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the effects of nutrient intake on stroke risk. Summary statistics for nutrients, including 4 macronutrients and 14 micronutrients, were derived from 15 genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Data on stroke and its subtypes were sourced from the MEGASTROKE consortium. (3) Results: Genetically predicted magnesium levels, as the protective factors, were significantly associated with a lower risk of cardioembolic stroke (OR: 0.011, 95% CI: 0-0.25, p-value: 0.005) in the IVW method. Additionally, vitamin C reduced the risk of cardioembolic stroke (OR: 0.759, 95% CI: 0.609-0.946, p-value: 0.014) and vitamin B9 reduced the risk of small vessel stroke (OR: 0.574, 95% CI: 0.393-0.839, p-value: 0.004) with the IVW method. However, the association of vitamin B6 with an increased risk of large-artery stroke (OR: 1.546, 95% CI: 1.009-2.37, p-value: 0.046) in the Wald ratio method should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited number of SNPs. There was also suggestive evidence that magnesium might decrease the risk of both any stroke and ischemic stroke. (4) Conclusions: Our MR analysis highlights the protective roles of magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B9 in stroke prevention, making them key targets for public health strategies. However, the findings related to vitamin B6 are less certain and require further validation.

Nutrient-Dense African Indigenous Vegetables and Grains in the FAO Food Composition Table for Western Africa (WAFCT) Identified Using Nutrient-Rich Food (NRF) Scores.

Nutrient profiling (NP) models that assess nutrient density of foods can help remedy micronutrient deficiencies. We used NP methods to identify the most nutrient-rich foods in the 2019 FAO/INFOODS Western Africa Food Composition Table (WAFCT). The WAFCT had complete data for 909 foods. Three versions of the well-established Nutrient-Rich Food (NRF) model were used: (1) the original NRF9.3 based on 9 micronutrients (protein, fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D); (2) a new NRF6.3 based on 6 priority micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B12); and (3) NRF 15.3, based on 15 nutrients to encourage (NRF6.3 nutrients + vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, copper, and magnesium). Data analyses used one-way ANOVAs and independent t-tests, with significance at α = 0.05. Animal-source foods were rated higher by NRF6.3 priority micronutrient and NRF15.3 NP models than by the NRF9.3 model. African indigenous vegetables had higher protein content and higher nutrient density compared to non-indigenous vegetables, and African indigenous grains had higher nutrient density compared to non-indigenous grains. Though animal-source foods received some of the highest scores, NP models adapted to the West African context showed that African indigenous vegetables and grains were also nutrient rich. Indigenous foods could be important sources of priority micronutrients for the region.

The Evaluation of Selected Trace Elements in Blood, Serum and Blood Cells of Type 2 Diabetes Patients with and without Renal Disorder.

BACKGROUND: An appropriate diet is the basis for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, there are no strict recommendations regarding the content of micronutrients and their modifications in the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we decided to investigate whether T2DM patients, including those with CKD, have different levels of chromium, nickel, cobalt, magnesium, and zinc in various blood elements compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: We divided our subjects into three groups: the control group (individuals without T2DM and proper renal function), those with T2DM and proper renal function, and those with T2DM and GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: We observed higher levels of chromium in all materials examined in patients with T2DM and impaired renal function. Both study groups found higher levels of nickel in samples of whole blood and red blood cells. Patients with T2DM and proper renal function had higher levels of serum manganese. Both study groups had lower levels of serum zinc. We observed higher levels of chromium in all materials examined in patients with T2DM and impaired renal function. Both study groups found higher levels of nickel in samples of whole blood and red blood cells. Patients with T2DM and proper renal function had higher levels of serum manganese. Both study groups had lower levels of serum zinc. CONCLUSIONS: In order to ensure effective care for patients with T2DM, it is necessary to improve the standard diet, including the content of micronutrients and their modification in patients with concomitant CKD.

Is Micronutrient Supplementation Helpful in Supporting the Immune System during Prolonged, High-Intensity Physical Training?

It is well known that during prolonged, high-intensity physical training, athletes experience a state of immunosuppression and that balanced nutrition can help maintain immunity. This review summarizes the effects (amplified by virus infection) of high-intensity, long-term exercise on immunity, critically presenting key micronutrients and supplementation strategies that can influence athletes' performance and their immune system. The main conclusion is that micronutrient supplementation with diet could help to protect the immune system from the stress effects induced by intense physical activities. The importance of personalized supplementation has been also recommended.

Empowering agriculture: The promise of zinc biofortification in rice.

Zinc (Zn) plays a crucial role in metabolism in both plant and animal life. Zn deficiency is a worldwide problem that has recently gotten worse. This micronutrient shortage can be largely attributed to eating foods that are poor in zinc. If biofortification methods were widely used, Zn enrichment of the organ or tissue of interest would increase dramatically. However, Zn absorption mechanisms in rice plants must be understood on a fundamental level before these methods can be used effectively. Plant systems' Zn transporters and metal chelators play a major role in regulating this intricate physiological characteristic. The Zn efficiency of specific species is affected by a variety of factors, including the plant's growth stage, edaphic conditions, the time of year, and more. Both old and new ways of breeding plants can be used for biofortification. We have highlighted the significance of recombinant and genetic approaches to biofortifying in rice. In this review, we have the metabolic role of zinc in rice, and the different transporter families involved in the transportation of zinc in rice. We have also discussed the combined approaches of agronomic and genetic in zinc biofortification in rice and potential outcomes and future predictions.