scholarly journals Fat-soluble vitamins A and E and health disparities in a cohort of pregnant women at delivery

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrine Hanson ◽  
Marina Verdi Schumacher ◽  
Elizabeth Lyden ◽  
Dejun Su ◽  
Jeremy Furtado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Food Desert ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Lower Serum

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to evaluate intakes and serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, and related compounds in a cohort of maternal–infant pairs in the Midwestern USA in relation to measures of health disparities. Concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols in maternal serum were measured using HPLC and measures of socio-economic status, including food security and food desert residence, were obtained in 180 mothers upon admission to a Midwestern Academic Medical Center labour and delivery unit. The Kruskal–Wallis and independent-samples t tests were used to compare measures between groups; logistic regression models were used to adjust for relevant confounders. P < 0·05 was considered statistically significant. The odds of vitamin A insufficiency/deficiency were 2·17 times higher for non-whites when compared with whites (95 % CI 1·16, 4·05; P = 0·01) after adjustment for relevant confounders. Similarly, the odds of being vitamin E deficient were 3·52 times higher for non-whites (95 % CI 1·51, 8·10; P = 0·003). Those with public health insurance had lower serum lutein concentrations compared with those with private health insurance (P = 0·05), and living in a food desert was associated with lower serum concentrations of β-carotene (P = 0·02), after adjustment for confounders. Subjects with low/marginal food security had higher serum levels of lutein and β-cryptoxanthin compared with those with high food security (P = 0·004 and 0·02 for lutein and β-cryptoxanthin). Diet quality may be a public health concern in economically disadvantaged populations of industrialised societies leading to nutritional disadvantages as well.

scholarly journals The Effect of Additional Private Health Insurance on Mortality in the Context of Universal Public Health Insurance

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8363
Author(s):  
Eun-Mi Baek ◽  
Jae-Il Oh ◽  
Eun-Jung Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Private Health Insurance ◽  
Public Health Insurance ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard ◽  
System 2 ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard Regression

(1) Background: Korea operates its national health insurance (NHI) system as a form of public health insurance, and is commonly regarded as having achieved universal health coverage (UHC). However, many Korean households register for additional private health insurance (PHI) programs. Typically, registration rates for PHI are higher for individuals with a higher socioeconomic status (SES). A difference in mortality between those with and without additional PHI would indicate that there are health inequalities within the Korean NHI system under UHC. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm whether additional PHI affects mortality under the Korean NHI system. (2) Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging data from the first to the sixth wave. The analysis included 8743 participants, who were divided into two groups: those who only had NHI and those who had both NHI and PHI. Differences in mortality between the two groups were compared using the Cox proportional hazard regression. (3) Results: The group with both NHI and PHI had lower mortality than the group with only NHI (hazard ratio = 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.41, 0.9). (4) Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that there are health disparities according to SES and PHI within the Korean NHI system under UHC. Therefore, relevant government institutions and experts should further improve the NHI system to reduce health disparities.

scholarly journals Session 1: Allergic disease Nutrition as a potential determinant of asthma

2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Devereux
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Asthma Prevalence

Asthma is characterised by chronic lung airway inflammation, increased airway responsiveness and variable airflow obstruction. In Westernised countries asthma is a public health concern because of its prevalence, associated ill health and high societal and healthcare costs. In recent decades there has been a marked increase in asthma prevalence, particularly in Westernised countries. It has been proposed that changing diet has contributed to the increase in asthma. Several dietary hypotheses exist; the first relates the increase in asthma to declining dietary antioxidant intake, the second to decreased intake of long-chainn-3 PUFA and increasing intake ofn-6 PUFA. Vitamin D supplementation and deficiency have also been hypothesised to have contributed to the increase in asthma. Observational studies have reported associations between asthma and dietary antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, Se, flavonoids, fruit), lipids (PUFA, butter, margarine, fish) and vitamin D. However, supplementing the diets of adults with asthma with antioxidants and lipids has minimal, if any, clinical benefit. There is growing interest in the possibility that childhood asthma is influenced by maternal diet during pregnancy, with studies highlighting associations between childhood asthma and maternal intake of some nutrients (vitamin E, vitamin D, Se, PUFA) during pregnancy. It has been suggested that maternal diet during pregnancy influences fetal airway and/or immune development. Further intervention studies are needed to establish whether modification of maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy can be used as a healthy low-cost public health measure to reduce the prevalence of childhood asthma.

scholarly journals Hidden Hunger of Vitamin E Among Healthy College Students: A CrossSectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongqi Wan ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Yinyang Xu ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Tianyou Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Hplc Method ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin E Deficiency ◽  
The Status

Background: College students may have risk of fat-soluble vitamins deficiencies due to unhealthy dietary habits, especially for vitamin A and E. They are important members in the human antioxidant network, deficiencies of these vitamins may increase risk of many critical diseases. Objective: The current study was undertaken to determine the status of vitamin A and E in college students. Methods: Healthy college students were recruited, and fasting blood samples of them were collected and used for determining serum levels of retinol and α-tocopherol by the HPLC method. Results: We found that there was no vitamin A deficiency in college students. However, vitamin E deficiency existed in 34.5% of college students, especially in males. All the students had no vitamin E adequacy. In addition, our findings showed that BMI was inversely associated with serum α-tocopherol, but not serum retinol. Conclusion: These results suggest that vitamin E deficiency in college students should be given more attention, and it is necessary to consider using vitamin E supplements.

scholarly journals Is There a Relationship Between Serum Levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Copper and Zinc and Otitis Media with Effusion in Children?

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (S3) ◽  
pp. 594-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filiz Aydogan ◽  
Emine Aydin ◽  
Eren Tastan ◽  
Necmi Arslan ◽  
Mehmet Senes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Otitis Media With Effusion ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Copper And Zinc

scholarly journals Effect of Maternal Dietary Redox Levels on Antioxidative Status and Immunity of the Suckling Off-Spring

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Charlotte Lauridsen ◽  
Anna Amanda Schönherz ◽  
Søren Højsgaard
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Lower Serum ◽  
Antioxidative Status ◽  
Immunological Responses ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Dietary Antioxidant ◽  
High Treatment

This study investigates two levels of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E in combination on their status in sows and their progeny, and influence on antioxidant status and immunological responses of the piglets at weaning. Female pigs (n = 6) were provided LOW or HIGH antioxidant nutrition (Se and vitamin E) from mating until weaning of their off-spring. The HIGH treatment elevated the concentration of Se (p = 0.015) and α-tocopherol (p = 0.023) in plasma of piglets compared with piglets of the LOW treatment. Treatments also affected the concentrations of milk and sow plasma immunoglobulins. Piglets from sows on the HIGH treatment had increased (p < 0.001) activity of glutathione peroxidase, lower serum levels of C-reactive protein (p = 0.005), haptoglobin (p = 0.05) and albumin (p = 0.05), and the number of white blood cells (p = 0.023) and the ratio of NEU to LYM was lower (p = 0.025) than in piglets from sows on the LOW group. Furthermore, the dietary antioxidant level influenced responses of cytokines (interleukine (IL) 6 (p = 0.007), 12 (p = 0.01) and 18 (p = 0.01)) in piglets’ plasma. In conclusion, improved antioxidant status via dietary maternal provision improves the robustness of the offspring via immunomodulatory mechanisms.

scholarly journals The Significance of Measuring Vitamin D Serum Levels in Women with Uterine Fibroids

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Ciebiera ◽  
Mohamed Ali ◽  
Lillian Prince ◽  
Stanisław Zgliczyński ◽  
Grzegorz Jakiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Benign Tumors

Abstract Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors originating from smooth muscle cells and are considered a common pathology that affects numerous women which is a notable socio-economic problem. Several UF risk factors have been identified including black race, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is steroid compound with pleiotropic effects on the human body. Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health concern worldwide. Several studies have shown that the majority of UF patients experienced hypovitaminosis D. In addition, sufficient vitamin D serum levels are associated with the reduced risk of UFs. In this review, we present available data highlighting the importance of measuring vitamin D serum levels in women with UFs and women at a high risk for UF development. We proposed a preliminary clinical instruction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements and vitamin D supplementation for clinicians who are involved in the treatment of patients with UFs. Achieving sufficient serum levels of vitamin D might be of interest in patients with UFs. Screening, supplementation, treatment guidelines, and public health strategies for vitamin D deficiency in women with UFs as well as women at a high risk of UF development might be of potential importance as well.

Vitamin-A deficiency: A global cause of public health concern

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
SaurabhRamBihariLal Shrivastava ◽  
PrateekSaurabh Shrivastava ◽  
Jegadeesh Ramasamy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern

scholarly journals Impact of Epidemic-Affected Labor Shortage on Food Safety: A Chinese Scenario Analysis Using the CGE Model

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2679
Author(s):  
Li Liang ◽  
Keyu Qin ◽  
Sijian Jiang ◽  
Xiaoyu Wang ◽  
Yunting Shi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Labor Shortage ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Epidemic Area ◽  
The Impact

Human food safety should be given priority during a major public health crisis. As the primary element of agricultural production, labor tends to suffer the most during a period of public health concern. Studying the impact of epidemic-affected labor shortages on agricultural production, trade, and prices has important implications for food security. This study used a calculable general equilibrium model to study the changes in China’s agricultural production, trade, and prices under different labor damage scenarios. The results showed that agricultural production was less affected under a scenario where the epidemic was controlled locally. The output of agricultural products decreased by about 2.19%, and the prices of agricultural products increased slightly. However, the nationwide output of agricultural products decreased by only 0.1%, and the prices remained largely stable. In the case of the spread of the epidemic, the output of agricultural products in the epidemic area decreased by 2.11%, and the prices of certain agricultural products increased significantly. For example, the price of vegetables increased by 0.78%, the price of pork increased by about 0.7%, and those of agricultural products in other parts of the country also increased slightly. Compared with the national spread scenario, the local outbreak scenario had a smaller impact on China’s food security, indicating China’s effective policy against the epidemic. Although the impact of labor shortage under the influence of the epidemic on China was relatively limited, and considering its stable food security, we should pay attention to the increase in the process of agricultural products and changes in agricultural trade in the epidemic area. The residents in the epidemic areas could not effectively obtain nutritious food, which affected their health. Thus, the government should also completely mobilize agricultural resources to ensure the nutrition safety of residents during major public health incidents.

scholarly journals Micronutrient's deficiency in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Venkatesh ◽  
Akash Sharma ◽  
Velmurugan A. Ananthan ◽  
Padmavathi Subbiah ◽  
R. Durga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiency ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Vitamin B

Abstract India is coming to grips with a stage of nutrition transition. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), preventable micronutrient deficiency is arising public health precedence in India. However, the foremost public health concern is the lack of national prevalence data. The present study was carried out to estimate the pooled age-wise prevalence of six preventable micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, iodine and folic acid) in India. A systematic review was carried out on PubMed and Global Index Medicus databases using the Boolean search strategy. Statistical analyses were done using R software, version 3.6. 2. PRISMA guidelines were strictly adhered to during the review. A preliminary literature search yielded 4302 articles; however, 270 original research articles were found eligible to be included in quantitative synthesis. The estimated overall prevalence was 17 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0⋅07, 0⋅26] for iodine deficiency, 37 % (95 % CI 0⋅27, 0⋅46) for folic acid deficiency, 54 % (95 % CI 0⋅49, 0⋅59) for iron deficiency, 53 % (95 % CI 0⋅41, 0⋅64) for vitamin B12 deficiency, 19 % (95 % CI 0⋅09, 0⋅29) for vitamin A deficiency and 61 % (95 % CI 0⋅07, 0⋅26) for vitamin D with high heterogeneity. We classified the population into infants (0–5 years), adolescents (<18 years), adults (>18 years) and pregnant women. Iron deficiency was most prevalent (61 %) in pregnant women. The results of the present study reinforce the data on micronutrient deficiency in India and warrant the immediate need for further active public health interventions to address these deficiencies. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020205043).

scholarly journals Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in beta-thalassemia major: iron overload and depletion of lipid-soluble antioxidants

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 3608-3614 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Livrea ◽  
L Tesoriere ◽  
AM Pintaudi ◽  
A Calabrese ◽  
A Maggio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Iron Overload ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
The Other ◽  
Protein Carbonyls ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Other Hand

Because of continuous blood transfusions, thalassemia patients are subjected to peroxidative tissue injury by the secondary iron overload. In accordance, analysis of serum from 42 beta-thalassemia patients, aged 4 to 40 years, showed that the mean concentrations of conjugated diene lipid hydroperoxides (CD), lipoperoxides evaluated as malondialdehyde/ thiobarbituric acid (MDA/TBA) adducts, and protein carbonyls increased about twofold with respect to control. Ferritin levels were positively correlated with the amount of MDA (r = .41; P = .007) and showed a positive trend with CD (r = .31; P = .07) and protein carbonyls (r = .35; P = .054), as further evidence of the deleterious effects of high tissue iron levels. Marked changes in the antioxidant pattern were also observed in all patients. Evidence is presented of a net drop in the concentration of ascorbate (-44%), vitamin E (-42%), vitamin A(-44%), beta-carotene (-29%), and lycopene (-67%). On the other hand, an increase of uric acid and bilirubin was observed, whereas serum albumin and glutathione were in the normal range in all patients. As a result, the total serum antioxidant potential, measured as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity appeared significantly decreased by 14%. Serum levels of vitamin E were inversely correlated with ferritin (r = -.45; P = .003), suggesting a major consumption of this antioxidant under iron overload. Nontransferrin bound iron (NTBI) was in the range 4.5 to 54.8 micrograms/dL (mean, 21.8 +/- 13.9). Although NTBI had a positive trend with ferritin (r = .37, P = .03), no clear correlation was found with either MDA or vitamin E. A mild to severe hepatic damage, as assessed by serum transaminases, was shown in 24 of 42 patients. Serum levels of vitamin E (r = -.49, P = .015), vitamin A (r = -.48, P = .016) and lycopene (r = -.47, P = .020), were inversely correlated with the levels of transminases. On the other hand, lipid-soluble antioxidants in thalassemia patients were depleted to the same extent in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected (31 subjects) and in HCV-uninfected (10 subjects), while in the normal range in serum from 30 nonthalassemic patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis. These results point out that the iron-induced liver damage in thalassemia may play a major role in the depletion of lipid-soluble antioxidants. The variations of the parameters evaluated in the present study were not correlated with the age of the patients. Our results suggest that the measurement of peroxidation products, matched with evaluation of antioxidants, may be a simple measure of iron toxicity in thalessemia, in addition to the conventional indices of iron status.

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