scholarly journals Nutrition and the psychoneuroimmunology of postpartum depression

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Ellsworth-Bowers ◽  
E. J. Corwin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Trace Minerals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a relatively common and often severe mood disorder that develops in women after childbirth. The aetiology of PPD is unclear, although there is emerging evidence to suggest a psychoneuroimmune connection. Additionally, deficiencies in n-3 PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and trace minerals have been implicated. This paper reviews evidence for a link between micronutrient status and PPD, analysing the potential contribution of each micronutrient to psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms of PPD. Articles related to PPD and women's levels of n-3 PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and the trace minerals Zn and Se were reviewed. Findings suggest that while n-3 PUFA levels have been shown to vary inversely with PPD and link with psychoneuroimmunology, there is mixed evidence regarding the ability of n-3 PUFA to prevent or treat PPD. B vitamin status is not clearly linked to PPD, even though it seems to vary inversely with depression in non-perinatal populations and may have an impact on immunity. Vitamin D and the trace minerals Zn and Se are linked to PPD and psychoneuroimmunology by intriguing, but small, studies. Overall, evidence suggests that certain micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the development of PPD, possibly through psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms. Developing a better understanding of these mechanisms is important for guiding future research, clinical practice and health education regarding PPD.

Biochemical indexes of the B vitamins in cord serum are predicted by maternal B vitamin status

2005 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Winfried Munz ◽  
Monika Jäger ◽  
Werner Schmidt ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
B Vitamins ◽  
Cord Serum ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Fortified Drink in Improving B Vitamin Biomarkers in Older Adults: A Controlled Intervention Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Heffernan ◽  
Leanne C Doherty ◽  
Roberta Hack Mendes ◽  
Michelle Clarke ◽  
Stephanie Hodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
To Receive

Abstract BackgroundOlder adults are reported to have sub-optimal B vitamin status; targeted food-based solutions may help to address this. The objectives of the OptiAge food intervention study were to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a B vitamin-fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older Irish adults with a primary outcome of change in B vitamin biomarker concentrations.MethodsA multicentre double-blind randomised controlled trial was performed in University College Dublin and Ulster University. Participants aged > 50 years were recruited following screening for exclusion criteria i.e. taking medications known to interfere with B vitamin metabolism, supplements containing B vitamins, consuming >4 portions of B-vitamin fortified foods per week or diagnosed with gastrointestinal, liver or pulmonary disease. Recruited participants were randomised with gender and centre as factors in the randomisation to receive either B vitamin-fortified or placebo drinks (developed by Smartfish, Norway) daily for 16 weeks.ResultsA total of 95 participants were randomised, of which 81 commenced the trial. Of these, 70 completed - 37 in the active and 33 in the placebo groups. Intention to treat (ITT) analysis of the B vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in all B vitamins biomarkers in the active compared to placebo groups (p<0.01 for Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, and Riboflavin). A significant lowering of plasma homocysteine from 11.9 (10.3-15.1) µmol/L to 10.6 (9.4-13.0) µmol/L (functional marker of B vitamin status) was also observed in response to the active treatment (P<0.001). Similar results were seen in a per-protocol analysis.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that a B vitamin-fortified drink was effective in optimising B vitamin status, making this a useful intervention strategy to improve B vitamin status in older adults. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN61709781. - Retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61709781

scholarly journals Anemia and Micronutrient Status during Pregnancy, and Their Associations with Obstetric and Infant Outcomes among HIV-Infected Ugandan Women Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia L Finkelstein ◽  
Heather S Herman ◽  
Albert Plenty ◽  
Saurabh Mehta ◽  
Paul Natureeba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Placental Malaria ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Multivariate Models ◽  
Infant Outcomes ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
Vitamin B 12

ABSTRACT Background Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are at higher risk of micronutrient deficiencies and adverse health outcomes. There are limited data on the burden or sequelae of micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant WLHIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objectives We aimed to examine anemia and vitamin B-12, folate, and vitamin D deficiencies, and their associations with obstetric and infant outcomes, among pregnant WLHIV initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in rural Uganda. Methods This was a prospective analysis among pregnant WLHIV (12–28 weeks of gestation) in PROMOTE-Pregnant Women and Infants (PIs), a randomized trial comparing the effects of protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART with those of a non-PI-based ART on placental malaria risk. We conducted a substudy on the burden of anemia [trimester 1/3: hemoglobin (Hb) &lt;11.0 g/dL; trimester 2: Hb &lt;10.5 g/dL; n = 367] and micronutrient deficiencies (n = 127) in pregnant WLHIV and their associations with obstetric and infant outcomes. Hb was measured by cyanmethemoglobin, vitamin B-12 and folate were measured via electrochemiluminescence, and vitamin D was measured by ELISA. Linear and binomial regression were used to evaluate associations between micronutrient status during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Results 26.8% women were anemic, 30.2% were vitamin B-12 insufficient (&lt;221.0 pmol/L), 66.1% were folate insufficient (&lt;13.5 nmol/L), and 65.4% were vitamin D insufficient (&lt;30.0 ng/mL) at enrollment. Anemia during pregnancy was associated with a greater risk of small for gestational age (SGA) (RR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.77; P = 0.001); each 1-g/dL decrease in Hb was associated with greater risk of SGA (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.90; P = 0.001). Multivariate models showed that increased vitamin D concentrations predicted lower risk of infant wasting (WLZ &lt; −2; RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.99; P = 0.04). Multivariate models also indicated that maternal vitamin B-12 and folate concentrations at enrollment predicted maternal (P &lt; 0.001) and infant (P = 0.02) concentrations postpartum. Conclusions Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies are associated with a variety of adverse obstetric and infant outcomes and are an important public health concern in perinatal WLHIV on cART and their children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00993031.

scholarly journals Nutritional aspects and possible pathological mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinaemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. McKinley
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Independent Risk Factor ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Vascular Toxicity ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
The Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
The Relationship

Numerous case–control and prospective studies have identified elevated plasma homocysteine as a strong independent risk factor for cerebovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. Homocysteine is formed as a result of the breakdown of the dietary amino acid methionine. Once formed, homocysteine is either remethylated to methionine, or undergoes a trans-sulfuration reaction to form cysteine. The re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine is dependent on three B-vitamins, i.e. riboflavin, vitamin B12and folate. The second pathway of homocysteine metabolism is the trans-sulfuration pathway which requires both vitamin B6and riboflavin for its activity. Thus, up to four B-vitamins are required for intracellular homocysteine metabolism. Many studies have noted strong inverse relationships between homocysteine levels and the status of both vitamin B12and folate. However, the relationship between vitamin B6status and homocysteine is still uncertain. Similarly, numerous intervention studies have demonstrated effective lowering of homocysteine levels as a result of folate and vitamin B12supplementation, while the homocysteine-lowering ability of vitamin B6is unclear. Even though riboflavin plays a crucial role in both the trans-sulfuration and remethylation pathways of homocysteine metabolism, the relationship between riboflavin status and homocysteine levels has not been investigated. The exact mechanism that explains the vascular toxicity of elevated homocysteine levels is unknown at present, studies indicate that it is both atherogenic and thrombogenic. To date, no randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that lowering of homocysteine levels is beneficial in terms of reducing the prevalence of vascular disease. It is probable, however, that optimal B-vitamin status is important in the prevention of vascular disease.

scholarly journals Micronutrient Status of Young Adolescents in Rural Bangladesh: The JiVitA-1 Birth Cohort (FS01-04-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Baker ◽  
Kerry Schulze ◽  
Lee Wu ◽  
Saijuddin Shaikh ◽  
Hasmot Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Young Adolescents ◽  
Blood Draw ◽  
Micronutrient Status

Abstract Objectives We assessed micronutrient status in young rural Bangladeshi adolescents to determine prevalence of deficiency by sex, age, season and dietary pattern. Methods In a birth cohort of >30,000 youth in whom data on health, development, and nutritional status was collected in 2015–2017, venous blood was drawn from a ∼3% subsample (n = 991, 9–13 years old). Participants’ mothers had been in a cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled trial of daily antenatal beta-carotene or vitamin A supplementation in 2001–2007. Hemoglobin (Hb) was obtained at blood draw; plasma ferritin, folate, cobalamin (B12), homocysteine (Hcy), thyroglobulin (Tg), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] by commercial immunoassay, and zinc by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results Participants were short (height-for-age Z-score -1.59 ± 0.93 in boys, -1.65 ± 0.98 in girls) and thin (BMI-for-age Z-score -1.49 ± 1.06 in boys, -1.28 ± 1.08 in girls). Anemia (Hb < 120 g/L, 11.4%) was common but iron deficiency (ferritin < 15 μg/L, 0.5%) was not. Folate (< 6.8 nmol/L, 3.3%) and vitamin B12 (<150 pmol/L, 5.2%) deficiencies, elevated Hcy (>18 μmol/L, 0.8%) and inflammation (CRP >5 mg/L, 3.3%) were uncommon. However, deficiencies of vitamin D (25(OH) D < 50 nmol/L, 43.0%), iodine (Tg > 40 µg/L, 21.9%), and zinc (< 8.6 µmol/L, 18.8%) were prevalent. Only vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in girls than boys (54.0% versus 31.4%, P < 0.0001), doubling in girls from 32.5% at 10 to 69.7% at 13 years of age. Vitamin D deficiency was highest in winter and zinc deficiency highest during the monsoon. In preliminary analyses, micronutrient deficiencies were not significantly associated with dietary intake patterns derived from three 7-day food frequencies collected over ∼1 year. Conclusions Young adolescents in rural northern Bangladesh experienced anemia and vitamin D, iodine and zinc deficiencies; however, iron, folate, and B12 deficiencies, hyperhomocysteinemia, and inflammation were uncommon. Further resolution of dietary data and exploration of other contextual features may reveal specific risk factors for micronutrient deficiencies, informing our understanding of adolescent nutritional status in this setting. Funding Sources The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sight and Life.

One year B-vitamins increases serum and whole blood folate forms and lowers plasma homocysteine in older Germans

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne H. Kirsch ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann ◽  
Vera Kruse ◽  
Rudolf Eckert ◽  
Stefan Gräber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Baseline Level ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin Supplementation ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
One Year ◽  
B Vitamin

AbstractWe aimed to study the effect of long-term supplementation of B-vitamins on folate forms in serum and whole blood (WB) in elderly German subjects.59 participants (mean age 67 years) were randomized to daily receive either vitamin DB-vitamins supplementation for 6 months led to higher concentrations of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF) in serum (mean 49.1 vs. 19.6 nmol/L) and WB (1332 vs. 616 nmol/L). Also non-methyl-folate concentrations in serum and WB were higher after 6 months with B-vitamins supplementation. Unmetabolized folic acid (UFA) increased after supplementation. tHcy concentration was lowered after 1 year of B-vitamin supplementation (mean 13.1 vs. 9.6 μmol/L). A stronger reduction of tHcy after 1 year was found in participants who had baseline level >12.5 μmol/L (mean 17.0 vs. 11.9 μmol/L) compared to those with baseline tHcy lower than this limit (mean 9.1 vs. 7.4 μmol/L). In contrast, the increases in serum and WB 5-methylTHF were comparable between the two groups.One year B-vitamins supplementation increased the levels of 5-methylTHF and non-methyl-folate in serum and WB, normalized tHcy, but caused an increase in the number of cases with detectable UFA in serum. Lowering of tHcy was predicted by baseline tHcy, but not by baseline serum or WB 5-methylTHF.

scholarly journals B-vitamins and bone in health and disease: the current evidence

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Clarke ◽  
M. Ward ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
L. Hoey ◽  
W. Dickey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Coeliac Disease ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
B Vitamin

Osteoporosis, a metabolic skeletal disease characterised by decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk, is a growing public health problem. Among the various risk factors for osteoporosis, calcium and vitamin D have well-established protective roles, but it is likely that other nutritional factors are also implicated. This review will explore the emerging evidence supporting a role for certain B-vitamins, homocysteine and the 677C→T polymorphism in the gene encoding the folate-metabolising enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, in bone health and disease. The evidence, however, is not entirely consistent and as yet no clear mechanism has been defined to explain the potential link between B-vitamins and bone health. Coeliac disease, a common condition of malabsorption, induced by gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible individuals, is associated with an increased risk both of osteoporosis and inadequate B-vitamin status. Given the growing body of evidence linking low bone mineral density and/or increased fracture risk with low B-vitamin status and elevated homocysteine, optimal B-vitamin status may play an important protective role against osteoporosis in coeliac disease; to date, no trial has addressed this possible link.

scholarly journals Emerging roles for folate and related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. McGarel ◽  
K. Pentieva ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
H. McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Functional Development ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Regional Brain Atrophy ◽  
Relevant Gene

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in supporting the structural and functional development of the human brain from conception, throughout early infancy and extending into later life. A growing body of evidence suggests that folate and the metabolically related B-vitamins are essential for brain health across all age groups, owing to their specific roles in C1 metabolism and particularly in the production of S-adenosylmethionine, a universal methyl donor essential for the production of neurotransmitters. Emerging, though not entirely consistent, evidence suggests that maternal folate status throughout pregnancy may influence neurodevelopment and behaviour of the offspring. Furthermore optimal B-vitamin status is associated with better cognitive health in ageing. Of note, a recent clinical trial provided evidence that supplementation with folic acid and related B-vitamins over a 2-year-period reduced global and regional brain atrophy, as measured by MRI scan in older adults. In terms of potential mechanisms, the effects of these B-vitamins on cognitive health may be independent or may be mediated by nutrient–nutrient and/or relevant gene–nutrient interactions. Furthermore, a new area of research suggests that the in utero environment influences health in later life. Folate, an important cofactor in C1 metabolism, is indirectly involved in DNA methylation, which in turn is considered to be one of the epigenetic mechanisms that may underlie fetal programming and brain development. The present review will explore the evidence that supports a role for folate and the related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle, and potential mechanisms to explain such effects.

Biochemical indexes of the B vitamins in cord serum are predicted by maternal B vitamin status

2005 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Winfried Munz ◽  
Monika Jäger ◽  
Werner Schmidt ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
B Vitamins ◽  
Cord Serum ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Comparative Review of the Thiochrome, Microbial and Protozoan Analyses of B-Vitamins

1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 730-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL N. VOIGT ◽  
RONALD R. EITENMILLER
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Specific Stimulation ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin Analysis

A comparative review of the specificities of various B-vitamin analysis methods is presented. Methods of vitamin analysis employing protozoa, viz. Tetrahymena and Ochromonas, are compared to the commonly used methods of vitamin assay, including officially accepted methods. Since 1968 the protozoan techniques have routinely been used to evaluate clinical vitamin status. This is due to their more mammalian-like response to the various forms of the vitamins that occur in natural materials. Protozoa have more developed ingestive and digestive systems than bacteria and yeast, which allow them to respond to conjugated forms of the vitamins (e.g. thiamin pyrophosphate and folic acid polyglutamates). Also, fewer problems are encountered with non-specific stimulation (e.g. fatty acid stimulation of the Lactobacillus casei assay for riboflavin or the sparing of the vitamin B12 requirement of Lactobacillus leichmannii by deoxyribosides). Application of the protozoan methods to analysis of foods indicate significantly lower levels of biotin and vitamin B12 than official methods, while significantly higher levels of riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin and pantothenic acid are found in low-acid foods. This review also summarizes extraction methods for the B-vitamins from food samples and indicates the importance of enzymatic hydrolysis in extract preparation.

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