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 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.

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 Vitamin D Insufficiency among Women Post-Partum in Northern Sweden—A Public Health Concern

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. 99-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Hasslöf ◽  
Frida Karlsson Videhult ◽  
Sven Arne Silfverdal ◽  
Christina E. West ◽  
Christina Stecksén-Blicks
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Public Health Concern

scholarly journals Responsibility for vitamin D supplementation of elderly care home residents in England: falling through the gap between medicine and food

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000129
Author(s):  
Joseph Williams ◽  
Carol Williams
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Responsibility ◽  
Vitamin D Supplements

IntroductionDaily vitamin D supplements are recommended for elderly care home residents; however, they are rarely given and vitamin D deficiency in care homes is widespread. This study aimed to understand the determinants of current practice and perceived responsibility for the vitamin D status of residents.MethodsThirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants in two areas of Southern England including care home managers, general practitioners (GPs) and public health professionals. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim.ResultsInductive thematic analysis identified four themes: framing of vitamin D supplements as medicines; professional and sector boundaries whereby GPs are perceived as responsible for the vitamin D status of residents and care home managers felt unable to administer over-the-counter vitamin tablets; low awareness of national guidance; and ethical and practical issues. This results in vitamin D supplements requiring prescription by medical professionals and few residents receiving them.ConclusionThe medical framing of vitamin D supplements in care homes is a practical barrier to implementation of longstanding nutrition guidelines. A paradigm shift is needed so that vitamin D is understood as a protective nutrient as well as a medicine, and a public health as well as a medical responsibility. Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health. Possible links with COVID-19 are still being investigated. The pandemic has drawn attention to conditions in care homes and there is an opportunity to revise current guidance on vitamin D supplementation which will have lasting benefit for this vulnerable group.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Supplementation in Australia: Implications for the Development of Supplementation Guidelines

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellie Bilinski ◽  
Peter Talbot
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
The Past ◽  
Threefold Increase ◽  
Vitamin D Supplements ◽  
Vitamin D Supplement ◽  
Potential Public Health

High rates of vitamin D deficiency and testing have been reported in Australia, yet there are few reports regarding vitamin D supplement use. Australian wholesale sales data was obtained for vitamin D supplements for the period 2000–2011. There has been a threefold increase in supplement sales over the past decade, whereby over A$94 million supplements containing vitamin D in Australia were sold during the year 2010. There were eighty-nine manufacturers that produce a variety of 195 vitamin D products. The amount of vitamin D in these products varies considerably, from 40 to 1000 IU per unit, although supplements containing only vitamin D had the highest amount of vitamin D. There was a trend for sales to increase in winter months. Given the potential public health benefits of vitamin D, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of supplementation use and for the development of supplementation.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Determinants in Adults: A Sample from Community-Based Settings in the United Arab Emirates

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wegdan Bani-issa ◽  
Kamal Eldeirawi ◽  
Sondos Harfil ◽  
Randa Fakhry
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Diabetes Type 2 ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Background.Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a public health concern in adults worldwide. This study aims to explore the extent of VDD and its associated factors among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Subjects and Methods.Quantitative, cross-sectional research was used to assess VDD and its associated factors in 216 adults recruited from randomly selected community-based healthcare settings over a six-month period. Recent values of vitamin D and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were abstracted from medical records, followed by interviews with participants to obtain information on factors related to VDD and other covariates and to measure their heights and weights.Results.A total of 74% of participants demonstrated VDD (vitamin D serumlevel≤30 nmol/L). Emirati participants had higher odds of having VDD compared to non-Emiratis (OR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.58–5.52), with also significantly increased odds of the condition appearing in older, less educated, and employed adults. Diabetes type 2 (HbA1c≥6.5%), depression, and obesity were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of VDD after accounting for other covariates.Conclusion.VDD is a significant problem for UAE adults and requires attention by public health policy makers. Diabetes, obesity, and depression need to be considered when screening for vitamin D.

Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function Through Reducing Oxidative Stress Regulated by Telomere Length in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1509-1518
Author(s):  
Tong Yang ◽  
Hualou Wang ◽  
Ying Xiong ◽  
Chong Chen ◽  
Keran Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Repeated Measures Anova

Background: Cognitive decline in older adults is a serious public health problem today. Association between vitamin D supplementation and cognition remains controversial. Objective: To determine whether a 12-month vitamin D supplementation improves cognitive function in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and whether it is mediated through the mechanism in which telomere length (TL) regulate oxidative stress. Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Tianjin, China. Participants were all native Chinese speakers aged 65 years and older with MCI. 183 subjects were randomized to an intervention group (vitamin D 800 IU/day, n = 93) or a placebo group (the matching starch granules, n = 90), and followed up for 12 months. Tests of cognitive function and mechanism-related biomarkers were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA showed substantial improvements in the full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), information, digit span, vocabulary, block design, and picture arrangement scores in the vitamin D group over the placebo group (p < 0.001). Leukocyte TL was significantly higher, while serum 8-OXO-dG, OGG1mRNA, and P16INK4amRNA revealed greater decreases in the vitamin D group over the placebo group (p < 0.001). According to mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA analysis, vitamin D group showed a significant enhancement in the FSIQ score for 12 months compared with the control (estimate value = 5.132, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation for 12 months appears to improve cognitive function through reducing oxidative stress regulated by increased TL in order adults with MCI. Vitamin D may be a promising public health strategy to prevent cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Vitamin D supplementation as a rational pharmacological approach in the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (6) ◽  
pp. L941-L948 ◽  
Author(s):  
León Ferder ◽  
Virna Margarita Martín Giménez ◽  
Felipe Inserra ◽  
Carlos Tajer ◽  
Laura Antonietti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Therapeutic Measure ◽  
Oxidative Signaling

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached most of the countries worldwide causing death, which often results from an inflammatory storm associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This has prompted researchers to seek specific novel and definitive treatments urgently. In this context, it is interesting to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of existing pharmacological agents that could be useful. In this regard, vitamin D supplementation, particularly in individuals likely to be deficient, may be a promising option. Vitamin D is a hormone that modulates many of the same inflammatory and oxidative signaling pathways triggered during COVID-19. For example, vitamin D suppresses the actions of the renin-angiotensin system, which has a determining role in the pathophysiology of the inflammatory response related to COVID-19. This paper analyzes the evidence that vitamin D supplementation might be a valuable preventive/therapeutic measure in groups at risk for or infected with COVID-19. It also discusses how clinical studies could be best designed to evaluate the possible advantages of vitamin D supplementation for the benefit of public health during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Effects of policy-driven hypothetical air pollutant interventions on childhood asthma incidence in southern California

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (32) ◽  
pp. 15883-15888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Garcia ◽  
Robert Urman ◽  
Kiros Berhane ◽  
Rob McConnell ◽  
Frank Gilliland
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Asthma Incidence ◽  
Pollutant Reduction

Childhood asthma is a major public health concern and has significant adverse impacts on the lives of the children and their families, and on society. There is an emerging link between air pollution, which is ubiquitous in our environment, particularly in urban centers, and incident childhood asthma. Here, using data from 3 successive cohorts recruited from the same 9 communities in southern California over a span of 20 y (1993 to 2014), we estimated asthma incidence using G-computation under hypothetical air pollution exposure scenarios targeting nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) in separate interventions. We reported comparisons of asthma incidence under each hypothetical air pollution intervention with incidence under the observed natural course of exposure; results that may be more tangible for policymakers compared with risk ratios. Model results indicated that childhood asthma incidence rates would have been statistically significantly higher had the observed reduction in ambient NO2 in southern California not occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s, and asthma incidence rates would have been significantly lower had NO2 been lower than what it was observed to be. For example, compliance with a hypothetical standard of 20 ppb NO2 was estimated to result in 20% lower childhood asthma incidence (95% CI, −27% to −11%) compared with the exposure that actually occurred. The findings for hypothetical PM2.5 interventions, although statistically significant, were smaller in magnitude compared with results for the hypothetical NO2 interventions. Our results suggest a large potential public health benefit of air pollutant reduction in reduced incidence of childhood asthma.

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