Vitamin D fortified bread improves pain and physical function domains of quality of life in nursing home residents.

Nursing home residents have severe vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of falls and fractures. These individuals may need 125 µg of vitamin D3 to achieve desirable 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations to improve overall health. We evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 45 nursing home residents (28 women and 17 men, aged 58-89 years) with 25(OH)D concentrations <50 nM who consumed daily one bun that had been fortified with 125 µg vitamin D3. The Romanian version of Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41) was applied at baseline and after 12 months. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA). After one year supplementation, serum 25(OH)D reached optimal status (>75 nM) and bone health has improved significantly. Nursing home residents who consumed daily bread fortified with 125 µg vitamin D3 reported significant (P=.02 for the effect of time) improvement in HRQoL (total score of QUALEFFO-41). The interaction time x treatment was also statistically significant on pain (P=.04), daily activities (P=.02), and locomotion (P=.04). To ensure the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D recommended by medical groups for bone- and general-health in the older nursing residents, the practical experience shows that much higher amounts of vitamin D3 are required. Fortification of bread and cereals is a feasible way to improve vitamin D nutrition.

Long-term effects of giving nursing home residents bread fortified with 125 microg (5000 IU) vitamin D(3) per daily serving.

BACKGROUND: In older adults, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration >75 nmol/L lowers the risk of fracture. An oral intake of 125 microg (5000 IU) vitamin D(3)/d may be required to achieve this target. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to characterize the safety and efficacy of fortifying bread with a biologically meaningful amount of vitamin D(3). DESIGN: In a single-arm design, 45 nursing home residents consumed one bun daily that had been fortified with 125 microg (5000 IU) vitamin D(3) and 320 mg elemental calcium. RESULTS: The initial mean (+/-SD) serum 25(OH)D concentration was 28.5 +/- 10.8 nmol/L. After 12 mo, the 25(OH)D concentration was 125.6 +/- 38.8 nmol/L, and it exceeded 74 nmol/L in 92% of the patients. At every 3-mo follow-up, serum parathyroid hormone was lower than at baseline (P = 0.001). No changes in serum calcium or cases of hypercalcemia were observed at the follow-up assessments. Both mean total urinary calcium and the mean urinary calcium-creatinine ratio increased from baseline at one follow-up time point (P < 0.05). Between baseline and the 12-mo visit, z scores for bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and the hip both increased significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fortification of bread with much more vitamin D than used previously produced no evident adverse effects on sun-deprived nursing home residents and improved bone density measures. Fortification of bread with 5000 IU vitamin D(3)/d provided reasonable assurance that vitamin D-deficient older adults attained a serum 25(OH)D concentration greater than the desirable objective of >75 nmol/L. This trial was registered at (ClinicalTrials.gov) as: NCT00789503.

[Oxidative stress and immune response in eumenorrheic underweight patients]. / Stresul oxidativ si raspunsul imun la pacientele subponderale eumenoreice.

Malnutrition is known to induce a state of immunodeficiency and a predisposition to death from infectious diseases. During fasting or starvation, it appears that oxidative stress is decreased. The goal of our study was to assess the interrelation between nutritional factors, oxidative stress and immune response. The malondialdehyde (MDA)-marker of lipid peroxidation, white blood cell count, differential count and hormonal status (FSH, LH, and cortisol) were followed in eumenorrheic underweight patients. MDA was significantly lower and lymphocyte count was significantly increased in eumenorrheic underweight patients as compared to normal weight patients. Gonadal and adrenal axes were found normal in eumenorrheic underweight patients. Body mass index was positively correlated with MDA and negatively correlated with lymphocyte count. Low levels of lipid peroxidation and non-suppressed immune function in underweight patients may be explained by an increased sensitivity to leptin but further studies are requested.