Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intakes are negatively associated with the prevalence of hypertension: A national population-based study.

We hypothesized that the prevalence of hypertension is related to B-vitamin intake in the general population, but it has not been sufficiently studied. This study aimed to investigate the intakes of dietary folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 concerning hypertension in US adults. A total of 55 569 adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III and 1999-2014 were included in this study. Nutrient intake was collected from subjects through one or two 24-hour dietary reviews. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between these nutrient intakes and hypertension. Among male participants, dietary folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intakes were significantly and negatively associated with the prevalence of hypertension, with multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.68), 0.65 (95% CI, 0.59-0.72), and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.75-0.95) for the highest quartile group compared with the lowest group. Results were similar for female participants, with multivariate-adjusted ORs of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.57-0.71), 0.60 (95% CI, 0.53-0.66), and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77-0.98) for the highest quartile group. Moreover, there was a linear trend (Ptrend < .001) in both men and women that the prevalence of hypertension tended to decrease with increased intake of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12; however, the decreases above the third quartile were negligible. Dietary folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 were significantly associated negatively with hypertension, indicating that these nutrients might have a protective effect against hypertension in United States adults.

Association between B-vitamins intake and frailty among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: Gain insight into the impact of B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin B6, total folate, and vitamin B12 on the risk of frailty in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: This study was an American population-based cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 1201 COPD patients were included in the analysis. Of these, the intake of B vitamins was determined by the two 24-h recall interviews. We followed the method constructed by Hakeem et al. to calculate the frailty index (FI), which is used as a reliable tool to assess the debilitating status of patients with COPD. Missing data were imputed by the MissForest method based on random forests. Multivariate logistic regression model and inverse probability weighted based on propensity scores were used to correct for confoundings. RESULTS: Logistic regression models showed that vitamin B6 intake was negatively correlated with frailty risk in COPD patients, while other B vitamins including B1, B2, niacin (vitamin B3), total folic acid and vitamin B12 were not. After adjusting for covariates, the association between vitamin B6 and frailty risk (adjusted OR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.66-0.95, P = 0.013) remained significant. At the same time, sensitivity analysis proves the robustness of the results. CONCLUSION: COPD patients with lower vitamin B6 intake have a higher risk of frailty. However, intake of vitamin B1, B2, niacin, total folic acid, and vitamin B12 was not associated with frailty risk in COPD patients.

Satellite Cells Exhibit Decreased Numbers and Impaired Functions on Single Myofibers Isolated from Vitamin B6-Deficient Mice.

Emerging research in human studies suggests an association among vitamin B6, sarcopenia, and muscle strength. However, very little is known regarding its potential role at the cellular level, especially in muscle satellite cells. Therefore, to determine whether vitamin B6 affects the satellite cells, we isolated single myofibers from muscles of vitamin B6-deficient and vitamin B6-supplemented mice. Subsequently, we subjected them to single myofiber culture and observed the number and function of the satellite cells, which remained in their niche on the myofibers. Prior to culture, the vitamin B6-deficient myofibers exhibited a significantly lower number of quiescent satellite cells, as compared to that in the vitamin B6-supplemented myofibers, thereby suggesting that vitamin B6 deficiency induces a decline in the quiescent satellite cell pool in mouse muscles. After 48 and 72 h of culture, the number of proliferating satellite cells per cluster was similar between the vitamin B6-deficient and -supplemented myofibers, but their numbers decreased significantly after culturing the myofibers in vitamin B6-free medium. After 72 h of culture, the number of self-renewing satellite cells per cluster was significantly lower in the vitamin B6-deficient myofibers, and the vitamin B6-free medium further decreased this number. In conclusion, vitamin B6 deficiency appears to reduce the number of quiescent satellite cells and suppress the proliferation and self-renewal of satellite cells during myogenesis.

The Association between Daily Total Dietary Nutrient Intake and Recent Glycemic Control States of Non-Pregnant Adults 20+ Years Old from NHANES 1999-2018 (Except for 2003-2004).

BACKGROUND: Although daily total dietary nutrient intakes were potentially important factors in maintaining glycemic balance, their overall effect on glycemic control was still unclear among American adults. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the association between daily total dietary nutrient intake and recent glycemic control status (RGCS). METHODS: This cohort was composed of 41,302 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The daily total intake of dietary nutrients and RGCS were independent and dependent variables, respectively. To evaluate their association, we carried out binary logistic regression, model fitting, linear discriminant analysis, and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The result of robust check model showed that only the daily total dietary vitamin B6 intake (adjusted OR = 0.848; 95% CI: 0.738, 0.973; p-value = 0.019) was significantly negatively correlated with RGCS. When daily total dietary vitamin B6 intake and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were used as independent variables and dependent variables, respectively, to fit the curves and lines, the established robust check model could distinguish American adults with different RGCS well. Moreover, the robust check model results of ROC analysis indicated that daily total dietary vitamin B6 intake might be a potential predictor for RGCS (AUC = 0.977; 95% CI: 0.974, 0.980; p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that only daily total dietary vitamin B6 intake was a beneficial factor in RGCS, but it might need further multicenter or prospective studies to verify whether vitamin B6 had biological implications and public health meaning for glycemic control among American adults (specifically referred to non-pregnant participants over 20 years old).

Dietary Intake Adequacy and Food Sources of Nutrients Involved in the Methionine-Methylation Cycle in Women of Childbearing Age from the ANIBES Spanish Population.

Growing evidence confirms choline as a critical perinatal nutrient. However, intake levels of choline and betaine among the Spanish fertile population remain unknown. Given their role in one-carbon metabolism with potential epigenetic effects, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary intakes, their adequacy to existing guidelines and the main food sources together with other micronutrients involved in the methylation-methionine cycle (vitamin B6, folates and vitamin B12) in women of childbearing age. The ANIBES study, a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of women of childbearing age (18-45 years, n = 641) resident in Spain, was used. The sample was divided into younger women (18-30 years, n = 251) and older women (31-45 years, n = 390). Dietary intake was assessed by a three-day dietary record by using a tablet device. Total median intakes for the total sample were 303.9 mg/d for choline; 122.6 mg/d for betaine; 1.3 mg/d for vitamin B6; 140.8 µg/d for folates, and 3.8 µg/d for vitamin B12. The older subgroup showed significantly higher choline (p < 0.05), betaine (p < 0.001) and folates (p < 0.05) intakes than younger women. Main food sources for the whole sample were meat and meat products for choline (28.3%), vitamin B6 (25.7%) and vitamin B12 (22.8%); cereals and derivatives (79.9%) for betaine; vegetables (20.0%) for folates. Overall intake adequacy was only observed for vitamin B12, with a very limited number of participants showing adequate intakes for all the other micronutrients. These results illustrate there is a relevant need to raise awareness about optimizing the status of the methionine cycle-related vitamins and cofactors in this potentially vulnerable population.

Association of dietary intakes of vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate, and methionine with the risk of esophageal cancer: the Japan Public Health Center-based (JPHC) prospective study.

BACKGROUND: B vitamins and methionine are essential substrates in the one-carbon metabolism pathway involved in DNA synthesis and methylation. They may have essential roles in cancer development. We aimed to evaluate the associations of dietary intakes of vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate, and methionine with the risk of esophageal cancer (EC) using data from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study. METHODS: We included 87,053 Japanese individuals who completed a food frequency questionnaire and were followed up from 1995-1998 to 2013 and 2015. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by Cox proportional-hazard regression across quintiles of dietary intakes of B vitamins and methionine. RESULTS: After 1,456,678 person-years of follow-up, 427 EC cases were documented. The multivariable HR (95% CI) of incident EC in the highest versus lowest quintile of dietary intake of vitamin B12 was 1.75 (1.13-2.71; p-trend=0.01). Stratification analysis based on alcohol consumption showed that higher dietary intakes of vitamin B12 and methionine were associated with an increased risk of EC among never-drinkers; HRs (95% CIs) were 2.82 (1.18-6.74; p-trend=0.009; p-interaction=0.18) and 3.45 (1.32-9.06; p-trend=0.003; p-interaction 0.02) for vitamin B12 and methionine, respectively. Meanwhile, there was no association between vitamin B12 and methionine intake with the risk of EC among drinkers. There were no associations between dietary intake of folate or vitamin B6 and the risk of EC. CONCLUSION: Dietary intake of vitamin B12 was positively associated with the risk of EC in the Japanese population.

Depression and Vegetarians: Association between Dietary Vitamin B6, B12 and Folate Intake and Global and Subcortical Brain Volumes.

Deficiency of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, mostly in vegetarians, is found to be associated with depression and adverse neurological function. We investigated whether vitamin B6, B12, and folate have an effect on brain structure, especially among depressed people who follow a specific diet. The study sample comprised 9426 participants from the UK Biobank cohort with a mean age of 62.4 years. A generalized linear model controlling for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, town send deprivation index, educational qualification, smoking, and alcohol intake was used to test the association between study groups and structural brain volumes. Depression was more prevalent, and intake of vitamin B6 and B12 was lower among vegetarians, while non-vegetarians had a lower intake of folate. Overall, no significant association was observed between vitamin B6, B12, and folate intakes and both global and subcortical brain volumes among participants with depression. However, vitamin B12 intake was positively associated with right pallidum among non-depressed participants, and a significant interaction between vitamin B12 intake and depression status on the right pallidum was observed. Also, a significant interaction between folate intake and depression status on grey matter (GM) volume and left thalamus was observed. Upon diet stratification, folate intake is associated with total brain volume and GM volume among vegetarians with depression. Furthermore, no significant associations were observed for subcortical regions. Our findings suggest that dietary intake of vitamin B6 and B12 might have an effect on brain structure. Vegetarians, particularly those who suffer from depression may benefit from supplementing their diets with vitamins B6, B12, and folate to ensure brain health. Further studies, especially with a larger sample size and longitudinal design, are needed to confirm these findings.

Excessive vitamin B6 during treatment is related to poor prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A U-shaped distribution suggests low dose supplement.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Several studies explored the association of vitamin B6 intake with the risk of cancers. However, it is unclear whether different doses of vitamin B6 have distinct effects on the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. This study investigated the relationship between different doses of B6 intake and the prognosis of NPC patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis included 792 newly diagnosed NPC patients with a median follow-up of 62.05 months. Restricted cubic spline and maximally selected rank statistics were performed to determine the cut-off value of vitamin B6 during treatment (VB6DT). Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were performed to analyze survival outcomes. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was performed to determine the independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: NPC patients were divided into three groups according to the cut-off value of VB6DT: non-users (0 mg/d), VB6DT > 8.6 mg/d, and VB6DT ≤ 8.6 mg/d. Patients with VB6DT > 8.6 mg/d had significantly lower 5-year overall survival (OS) (83.5% vs. 90.8%, p = 0.006), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (83.5% vs. 91.0%, p = 0.004), and progression-free survival (PFS) (73.7% vs. 81.7%, p = 0.011) and slightly but not significantly lower 5-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (87.7% vs. 90.7%, p = 0.214) than the non-users. Patients with VB6DT ≤ 8.6 mg/d had slightly but not significantly better 5-year OS (93.3% vs. 90.8%, p = 0.283) than the non-users, while all other primary endpoints were similar (p > 0.50). Multivariable analyses confirmed that VB6DT > 8.6 mg/d was an independent negative prognostic factor of OS (p = 0.010), DMFS (p = 0.017), and PFS (p = 0.030) but not of LRFS (p = 0.428). CONCLUSIONS: Excessive VB6DT higher than the cut-off value is an independent negative prognostic factor for NPC patients. Additionally, low dose intake improved OS only slightly but not significantly.

Gender Differences in the Associations of Plasma Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate with Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids among US Young and Middle-Aged Adults: NHANES 2003-2004.

Vitamin B6-restricted diets and low plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) status altered plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compositions. Evidence suggests the role of gender in the metabolism of vitamin B6 and PUFA. However, no epidemiologic study examined the impact of gender on the relationship between vitamin B6 and PUFA status in adults. Thus, we investigated whether there were gender differences in the association of vitamin B6 intake and plasma PLP concentration with plasma PUFA concentrations and ratios (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, (EPA + DHA)/AA) in US young/middle-aged adults. In total, 864 participants (20-59 years; 484 men, 380 women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 were used for this cross-sectional study. Nutrient intakes were estimated from two 24 h recalls and supplement questionnaires; plasma PLP and PUFA were measured. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to obtain unstandardized (b) and standardized (ß) coefficients. Covariates included demographic, socioeconomic, dietary variables, physical activity level, cigarette smoking status, alcohol consumption, prescription medication use, and BMI. There were significant interactions between gender and PLP on EPA (P-interaction = 0.004), DHA (P-interaction = 0.020), EPA + DHA (P-interaction = 0.010), EPA/AA (P-interaction = 0.002), (EPA + DHA)/AA (P-interaction = 0.004), whereas no interaction between gender and B6 intake existed. In gender-stratified analyses, in men, PLP was positively associated with EPA (ß = 0.138, b = 0.104, p = 0.0004), DHA (ß = 0.101, b = 0.058, p = 0.036), EPA + DHA (ß = 0.125, b = 0.073, p = 0.005), EPA/AA (ß = 0.144, b = 0.099, p = 0.0002), (EPA + DHA)/AA (ß = 0.123, b = 0.068, p = 0.005). However, no associations between PLP and PUFA existed in women. In conclusion, gender differences were found in the relationships between plasma PLP and plasma EPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA, with significant direct associations in men only among US young/middle-aged adults.

Ocoxin as a complement to first line treatments in cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most frequent treatment for patients suffering from malignant progression of cancer. Even though new treatments are now being implemented, administration of these chemotherapeutic agents remains as the first line option in many tumor types. However, the secondary effects of these compounds represent one of the main reasons cancer patients lose life quality during disease progression. Recent data suggests that Ocoxin, a plant extract and natural compound based nutritional complement rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory mediators exerts a positive effect in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This mixture attenuates the chemotherapy and radiotherapy-related side effects such as radiation-induced skin burns and mucositis, chemotherapy-related diarrhea, hepatic toxicity and blood-infection. Moreover, it has been proven to be effective as anticancer agent in different tumor models both in vitro and in vivo, potentiating the cytotoxic effect of several chemotherapy compounds such as Lapatinib, Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel, Sorafenib and Irinotecan. The aim of this review is to put some light on the potential of this nutritional mixture as an anticancer agent and complement for the standard chemotherapy routine.

Vitamin B-6 intake is related to physical performance in European older adults: results of the New Dietary Strategies Addressing the Specific Needs of the Elderly Population for Healthy Aging in Europe (NU-AGE) study.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of high physical performance during aging might be supported by an adequate dietary intake of niacin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and folate because these B vitamins are involved in multiple processes related to muscle functioning. However, not much is known about the association between dietary intake of these B vitamins and physical performance. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between dietary intake of niacin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and folate and physical performance in older adults and to explore mediation by niacin status and homocysteine concentrations. METHODS: We used baseline data from the New Dietary Strategies Addressing the Specific Needs of the Elderly Population for Healthy Aging in Europe (NU-AGE) trial, which included n = 1249 healthy older adults (aged 65-79 y) with complete data on dietary intake measured with 7-d food records and questionnaires on vitamin supplement use and physical performance measured with the short physical performance battery and handgrip dynamometry. Associations were assessed by adjusted linear mixed models. RESULTS: Intake of vitamin B-6 was related to lower chair rise test time [ß: -0.033 ± 0.016 s (log); P = 0.043]. Vitamin B-6 intake was also significantly associated with handgrip strength, but for this association, a significant interaction effect between vitamin B-6 intake and physical activity level was found. In participants with the lowest level of physical activity, higher intake of vitamin B-6 tended to be associated with greater handgrip strength (ß: 1.5 ± 0.8 kg; P = 0.051), whereas in participants in the highest quartile of physical activity, higher intake was associated with lower handgrip strength (ß: -1.4 ± 0.7 kg; P = 0.041). No evidence was found for an association between intake of niacin, vitamin B-12, or folate and physical performance or for mediation by niacin status or homocysteine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B-6 intake was associated with better chair rise test time in a population of European healthy older adults and also with greater handgrip strength in participants with low physical activity only. Homocysteine concentrations did not mediate these associations. The NU-AGE trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01754012.

Deficit of human ornithine aminotransferase in gyrate atrophy: Molecular, cellular, and clinical aspects.

Gyrate Atrophy (GA) of the choroid and retina (MIM# 258870) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations of the OAT gene encoding ornithine-delta-aminotransferase (OAT), associated with progressive retinal deterioration and blindness. The disease has a theoretical global incidence of approximately 1:1,500,000. OAT is mainly involved in ornithine catabolism in adults, thus explaining the hyperornithinemia as hallmark of the disease. Patients are treated with an arginine-restricted diet, to limit ornithine load, or the administration of Vitamin B6, a precursor of the OAT coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate. Although the clinical and genetic aspects of GA are known for many years, the enzymatic phenotype of pathogenic variants and their response to Vitamin B6, as well as the molecular mechanisms explaining retinal damage, are poorly clarified. Herein, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the biochemical properties of human OAT and on the molecular, cellular, and clinical aspects of GA.

Exploring trajectories in dietary adequacy of the B vitamins folate, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12, with advancing older age: a systematic review.

Maintaining nutritional adequacy contributes to successful ageing. B vitamins involved in one-carbon metabolism regulation (folate, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12) are critical nutrients contributing to homocysteine and epigenetic regulation. Although cross-sectional B vitamin intake in ageing populations is characterised, longitudinal changes are infrequently reported. This systematic review explores age-related changes in dietary adequacy of folate, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12 in community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years at follow-up). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases (MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, CINAHL) were systematically screened, yielding 1579 records; eight studies were included (n 3119 participants, 2­25 years of follow-up). Quality assessment (modified Newcastle­Ottawa quality scale) rated all of moderate­high quality. The estimated average requirement cut-point method estimated the baseline and follow-up population prevalence of dietary inadequacy. Riboflavin (seven studies, n 1953) inadequacy progressively increased with age; the prevalence of inadequacy increased from baseline by up to 22·6 and 9·3 % in males and females, respectively. Dietary folate adequacy (three studies, n 2321) improved in two studies (by up to 22·4 %), but the third showed increasing (8·1 %) inadequacy. Evidence was similarly limited (two studies, respectively) and inconsistent for vitamins B6 (n 559; −9·9 to 47·9 %) and B12 (n 1410; −4·6 to 7·2 %). This review emphasises the scarcity of evidence regarding micronutrient intake changes with age, highlighting the demand for improved reporting of longitudinal changes in nutrient intake that can better direct micronutrient recommendations for older adults. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018104364).

Impact of magnesium supplementation, in combination with vitamin B6, on stress and magnesium status: secondary data from a randomized controlled trial.

Primary findings from a recent study reported that magnesium supplementation significantly reduced stress in severely stressed subjects with low magnesemia, and additional vitamin B6 enhanced this effect. The mechanism by which combining magnesium and vitamin B6 leads to reduced stress in these subjects remains to be elucidated. This secondary analysis investigated the impact of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation and perceived stress on erythrocyte magnesium levels, as a marker of body magnesium status. This was a secondary analysis from an 8-week randomized controlled trial comparing oral magnesium (300 mg) and magnesium-vitamin B6 (300 mg + 30 mg) supplementation. Stress level and erythrocyte magnesium level at baseline, and change in erythrocyte magnesium and serum vitamin B6 levels at weeks 4 and 8, were analyzed. Overall, 264 subjects were randomized to treatment and had evaluable Depression Anxiety Stress Scale scores (132 in each treatment arm). At baseline, stress scores, and mean serum magnesium, erythrocyte magnesium, and serum vitamin B6 concentrations were similar between arms. Although not significant between groups, a significant increase over time in erythrocyte magnesium levels was observed in the subgroup of subjects with low baseline erythrocyte magnesium levels (<1.6 mmol/L) following treatment with magnesium and magnesium-vitamin B6 (week 4:0.21 mmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.10 to 0.31], p = 0.0003; and 0.13 mmol/L [95% CI, 0.02 to 0.23], p = 0.0233, respectively). Change from baseline in circulating vitamin B6 levels at weeks 4 and 8 in the magnesium-vitamin B6 supplemented group (314.96 nmol/L [95%CI, 294.61 to 335.31]) was significantly different (p < 0.0001) compared with the magnesium supplemented group (-0.39 nmol/L [95% CI, -20.73 to 19.94]). Magnesium alone and magnesium-vitamin B6 provided statistically significant increases in erythrocyte magnesium in subjects with low magnesium status (<1.6mmol/L). Vitamin B6 supplementation did not further increase magnesium levels.

[The effect of administration of dietary supplement with calcium and vitamins D3 and B6 on calcium homeostasis and falls incidence in patients with high fracture risk undergoing medical rehabilitation].

Elimination of vitamin D and calcium deficiencies is of particular importance in older patients undergoing medical rehabilitation after a serious illness, surgery or injury and having a high risk of fractures. Preventing falls and fractures, including during the course of rehabilitation, is an important challenge that can be addressed in these patients, in particular through improved nutrition and vitamin D and calcium supplementation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of long-term intake of a complex dietary supplement with calcium and vitamins D3 and B6 on calcium homeostasis and the frequency of falls in patients with high fracture risk undergoing medical rehabilitation. Material and methods. The study enrolled 109 women and 10 men (mean age 65.5±7.9 years) with high fracture risk who were undergoing medical rehabilitation. After baseline examination, 41 patients have been receiving antiresorptive therapy already comprised group 1, and patients who didn't receive osteoporotic therapy were randomized into groups 2 (n=39) and 3 (control, n=39). Patients in groups 1 and 2 for 12 months were prescribed a dietary supplement containing calcium in a daily dose of 200 mg (in the form of citrate 1000 mg), 600 IU of vitamin D3 and 2 mg of vitamin B6. All patients underwent assessment of bone mineral density (BMD), calculation of absolute 10-year fracture risk according to FRAX, assessment of food calcium intake, etermination of biochemical parameters of calcium-phosphorus metabolism and bone remodeling (total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase activity - by colorimetric method in blood serum; immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) and osteocalcin - by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in blood serum; ß-isomer of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx) and 25(OH)D in blood plasma - by immunochemiluminescence analysis), cases of falls and fractures were fixed. Results. Average daily intake of calcium in the studied sample (n=119) was 782.9±243.4 mg, and 67.2% of patients consumed less than 800 mg of calcium daily. Vitamin D deficit was detected in 38.4% of the examined, its insufficiency - in 32.8%. An increase in 25(OH)D concentration was noted in groups 1 and 2 after 6 and 12 months (p<0.01), while in group 3 there was no dynamics of 25(OH)D (p>0.05). Patients in group 1 showed an increase in the level of osteocalcin and total calcium after 6 and 12 months, as well as alkaline phosphatase activity after 6 months (p<0.05). In group 3, there was an increase of PTH levels after 6 (p<0.05) and 12 months (p<0.01), CTx and alkaline phosphatase activity after 12 months (p<0.05). In group 1, there was an increase in BMD in the spine (+4.2%, p=0.024), femoral neck (+3.0%, p=0.041), and total femur (+2.7%, p=0.045), in patients of group 2 - an increase in BMD in the spine (+1.8%, p=0.048). In group 1, there was also a decrease in proportion of patients who fell after 6 months (χ2=4.97, p=0.026) and a decrease in the total number of falls after 12 months (χ2=4.89, p=0.027). Group 2 showed a decrease in the number of patients who fell after 6 and 12 months (χ2=48.58, p=0.0034 at both stages of the study) and the number of falls in general after 6 months (χ2=6.02, p=0.0142). Conclusion. The obtained data allow us to recommend prescription of dietary supplements containing calcium and vitamin D3 as a part of complex rehabilitation of patients with high fracture risk.

Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women Are Associated with a Low Intake of Vitamin B6: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study investigated the nutritional factors that are associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in Japanese middle-aged and elderly women. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 289 study participants aged ≥40 years (mean age = 52.0 ± 6.9 years). Their dietary habits, menopausal status and symptoms, and varied background factors, such as body composition, lifestyle factors, and cardiovascular parameters, were assessed. Their anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), where scores of 0-7 points, 8-10 points, and 11-21 points on either the anxiety or depression subscales were categorized as mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. The dietary consumption of nutrients was assessed using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. The relationships between the moderate-to-severe anxiety/depressive symptoms and the dietary intake of 43 major nutrients were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. After adjusting for age, menopausal status, and the background factors that were significantly related to depressive symptoms, moderate and severe depression was significantly inversely associated with only vitamin B6 (adjusted odds ratio per 10 µg/MJ in vitamin B6 intake = 0.89, 95% confidence interval = 0.80-0.99). A higher intake of vitamin B6 could help relieve depressive symptoms for this population.

Vitamin Status and Diet in Elderly with Low and High Socioeconomic Status: The Lifelines-MINUTHE Study.

Socioeconomic health inequalities are an important global public health problem. However, it is not well known to what extent socioeconomic inequalities culminate in impaired vitamin status and whether this is mediated by diet. We, therefore, aimed to assess vitamin status in a population already at increased risk of micronutrient deficiency, i.e., elderly with high and low socioeconomic status (SES), and to investigate whether potential differences therein were mediated by diet quality. Vitamin status in 1605 individuals (60-75 years) from the Lifelines- Micronutrients and Health inequalities in Elderly (MINUTHE) Study was assessed by measuring folic acid and the vitamins B6, B12, D, A, E, and K. Multinomial logistic and linear regression analyses were applied to test the associations between SES and vitamin status. Mediation analysis was used to explore the interrelationship between SES, diet quality, and vitamin status. Low SES was associated with poorer status of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and, notably, folic acid. Moreover, multivitamin deficiencies were more prevalent in the low SES group. Diet quality was found to mediate the associations of SES with folic acid (for 39.1%), vitamin B6 (for 37.1%), and vitamin B12 (for 37.2%). We conclude that low SES is a risk factor for a spectrum of vitamin deficiencies. Diet quality can partially explain the socioeconomic differences in vitamin status, suggesting that policymakers can mitigate socioeconomic inequality in nutritional status through improving diet quality.

Vitamin B12, B6, or Folate and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that B vitamin deficiencies are an essential cause of neurological pathology. There is a need to provide evidence of the benefit of B vitamins for the prevention of cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between intake and plasma levels of vitamins B12, B6, and folate and cognitive function in older populations through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were used to search the literature though August 8, 2019. We included observational population-based studies evaluating the association between concentrations or intake levels of vitamins B6, B12, or folate and cognition in older adults aged ≥45 years. The quality of all studies was assessed by the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were analyzed by the random-effects model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by excluding the studies with significant heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twenty-one observational studies with sample sizes ranging from 155-7030 were included in the meta-analysis. Higher levels of vitamin B12 (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61-0.97) and folate concentration (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.51-0.90) were associated with better cognition in cross-sectional studies, but not in sensitivity analyses or prospective studies. High vitamin B6 concentrations showed no significant benefit on cognition and dementia risk. Prospective studies did not provide substantial evidence for the relationship. CONCLUSION: The results from our meta-analysis suggest that vitamins B12, B6, and folate may not be modifiable risk factors for slowing cognitive decline among community-dwelling older individuals.

Oral Nutritional Supplementation Affects the Dietary Intake and Body Weight of Head and Neck Cancer Patients during (Chemo) Radiotherapy.

Considering the symptoms of (chemo) radiotherapy and the reduction in food intake in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, this study aimed to investigate the association between treatment time points and oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) on dietary intake to estimate the frequency of energy and nutrient inadequacy, and also to evaluate body weight changes (BWC). Dietary intake data of 65 patients were obtained from 24-h dietary recalls and prevalence of inadequacy was calculated before or at the beginning (T0), in the middle (T1), and at the end of treatment (T2). BWC were calculated as the weight difference considering the previous weight reported and/or measured. Energy and macronutrient intake decreased in T1 and then improved in T2 (p < 0.001 for both). Micronutrient intake increased during treatment due to ONS use, but still presented a high probability of inadequate intake. In particular, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 showed almost 100% of probability of inadequacy for those who did not use ONS. Finally, overweight patients suffered a higher weight accumulated deficit with a delta of -15 kg compared to other BMI (body mass index) categories. Therefore, we strongly recommend initiating nutritional counseling in conjunction with prophylactic ONS prescription from diagnosis to adjust nutrient intake and minimize weight loss.