Vitamin D in Food Supplements: Labeling Survey

An adequate vitamin D (vitD) intake (Recommended Daily Allowance,RDA= 5µg) is crucial for health maintenance and its deficiency isassociated with several health problems. The increase in hypovitaminosisD cases and the proliferation of food supplements (FS) that are easilyaccessible by the population, have led to an unrestrained chronicconsumption of FS. VitD may accumulate in the body and originatetoxicity (Tolerable Upper Limit, UL=100 µg). The aim of this study was toevaluate if daily vitD doses mentioned in FS labels are in conformity withRDA. 210 solid and liquid FS (for pediatrics and adults) sold in Portuguesepharmacies, supermarkets, health shops and on the internet were examinedfor indicated daily intake of vitD and compared to RDA and UL values.51.43% of FS have values higher than RDA, 8.57% higher than UL. Theaverage vitD daily dose in FS is 24.48 µg, with a high variability betweensamples (0.25 - 250 µg). Majority of FS labels recommend vitD daily dosesabove RDA and some even above UL, regardless of being for adults orchildren. Therefore, it is crucial that vitD dose in FS is reviewed to ensurethe safety of these products.

Vitamins as Possible Cancer Biomarkers: Significance and Limitations

The Western-style diet, which is common in developed countries and spreading into developing countries, is unbalanced in many respects. For instance, micronutrients (vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, and K plus iron, zinc, selenium, and iodine) are generally depleted in Western food (causing what is known as ‘hidden hunger’), whereas some others (such as phosphorus) are added beyond the daily allowance. This imbalance in micronutrients can induce cellular damage that can increase the risk of cancer. Interestingly, there is a large body of evidence suggesting a strong correlation between vitamin intake as well as vitamin blood concentrations with the occurrence of certain types of cancer. The direction of association between the concentration of a given vitamin and cancer risk is tumor specific. The present review summarized the literature regarding vitamins and cancer risk to assess whether these could be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers, thus confirming their potential as biomarkers. Despite many studies that highlight the importance of monitoring vitamin blood or tissue concentrations in cancer patients and demonstrate the link between vitamin intake and cancer risk, there is still an urgent need for more data to assess the effectiveness of vitamins as biomarkers in the context of cancer. Therefore, this review aims to provide a solid basis to support further studies on this promising topic.

Moroccan Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Fruits: Nutritional Value and Mineral Composition

The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), grown throughout the Mediterranean, produces edible fruit; as it is easily bruised, the sweet, reddish fruit is used mostly to prepare jams, marmalades and alcoholic beverages. As the genus is paraphyletic, phytochemical analysis can assist in defining the fruit composition with the species Arbutus unedo L. (A. unedo). Here we report on the carbohydrate, total sugar, protein, fat, fiber, ash, and mineral content of wild fruit, harvested from 45 specimens from five locations. The dominant nutrients were carbohydrates (78.2–84.8 g/100 g), total sugars (52.1–67.2 g/100 g) and dietary fiber (11.0–20.1 g/100 g). Other important nutrients supplied by A. unedo fruit include P, K, and Fe. The fruit was observed to contain health-promoting components providing 42 and 36%, of recommended daily allowance (RDA) for fiber and zinc, respectively, as well as iron and manganese, at levels exceeding minimum RDA. The free-sugar profile revealed high glucose followed by fructose content with minor amounts of sucrose (14, 11, and 6 g/100 g, respectively). Significant differences both between regions and within individuals were observed for several traits. The richness of fruit nutrients in A. unedo confers nutritional value and as such, a promising alternative fruit source.

The Role of Vitamins in Neurodegenerative Disease: An Update

Acquiring the recommended daily allowance of vitamins is crucial for maintaining homeostatic balance in humans and other animals. A deficiency in or dysregulation of vitamins adversely affects the neuronal metabolism, which may lead to neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we discuss how novel vitamin-based approaches aid in attenuating abnormal neuronal functioning in neurodegeneration-based brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Prion disease. Vitamins show their therapeutic activity in Parkinson’s disease by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, different water- and lipid-soluble vitamins have also prevented amyloid beta and tau pathology. On the other hand, some results also show no correlation between vitamin action and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Some vitamins also exhibit toxic activity too. This review discusses both the beneficial and null effects of vitamin supplementation for neurological disorders. The detailed mechanism of action of both water- and lipid-soluble vitamins is addressed in the manuscript. Hormesis is also an essential factor that is very helpful to determine the effective dose of vitamins. PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were employed to conduct the literature search of original articles, review articles, and meta-analyses.

Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration

Straw’s low energy content means it is a roughage option for horses with low energy requirements. Previously, in a field study, straw was associated with an increased risk for gastric ulcers. This study evaluated the effect on gastric ulcers, metabolic profile and behaviour of replacing, in a forage-only ration, 50% of the daily allowance with wheat straw. Six equines were studied in a 2 × 21-day cross-over design. The control diet (CON: 100% grass forage) and the straw diet (S: 50% grass forage and 50% straw [DM basis]) were iso-energetic. Gastroscopy was performed prior to the study and on day 21 and blood samples were collected and behavioural observations were performed. Diet did not affect squamous or glandular gastric ulcer scores (p > 0.05). Feed intake time was longer (p < 0.05) plus energy intake and plasma insulin concentrations were lower on diet S compared to CON (p < 0.0001). Plasma serotonin concentrations tended to be higher on diet S compared to CON (p = 0.05). The results suggest that good hygienic quality wheat straw can be included for up to 50% of the diet without causing gastric ulcers and that it can extend feeding time and promote a metabolic profile more suitable for overweight horses.

Reflection of Dietary Iodine in the 24 h Urinary Iodine Concentration, Serum Iodine and Thyroglobulin as Biomarkers of Iodine Status: A Pilot Study

Background: The iodine status of the US population is considered adequate, but subpopulations remain at risk for iodine deficiency and a biomarker of individual iodine status has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 3 day titration diet, providing known quantities of iodized salt, is reflected in 24 h urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum iodine, and thyroglobulin (Tg). Methods: A total of 10 participants (31.3 ± 4.0 years, 76.1 ± 6.3 kg) completed three, 3 day iodine titration diets (minimal iodine, US RDA, (United States Recommended Daily Allowance), and 3× RDA). The 24 h UIC, serum iodine, and Tg were measured following each diet. The 24 h UIC and an iodine-specific food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were completed at baseline. Results: UIC increased an average of 19.3 μg/L for every gram of iodized salt consumed and was different from minimal to RDA (p = 0.001) and RDA to 3× RDA diets (p = 0.04). Serum iodine was different from RDA to 3× RDA (p = 0.006) whereas Tg was not responsive to diet. Baseline UIC was associated with iodine intake from milk (r = 0.688, p = 0.028) and fish/seafood (r = 0.646, p = 0.043). Conclusion: These results suggest that 24 h UIC and serum iodine may be reflective of individual iodine status and may serve as biomarkers of iodine status.

Incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity among farming households in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The paper examined the incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity among farming household in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data was collected with aid of questionnaire from a total of 440 farming households comprising of (220 beneficiaries and 220 non-beneficiaries of BOA) were randomly selected using four multistage sampling techniques. The data generated was analysed using FGT index. The result for the incidences of food insecurity as indicated by head count ratio shows that 39.55% and 48.18% of food insecure farming households beneficiary and nonbeneficiary respectively were not able to meet their recommended daily allowance (RDAs) which is 2,250 kcal valued at N278.40/person equivalent to 0.87 USD. The coefficient of food insecurity depth (gap) shows that 19% of beneficiary and 44% of non-beneficiary food insecure farming households are below the recommended daily calorie requirement. The severity of food insecurity shows that 3.6% of beneficiaries’ food insecure farming households are most food insecure in the study area as compared with 19% non-beneficiaries’ food insecure farming households. High incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity among non-beneficiary food insecure farming households, indicated that BOA has impacted on beneficiary farming households by increasing their food security status. Therefore, this study recommends financial policies that ensure financial support to farming households most especially non-beneficiary in the study area.

Determination of Thiamine Hydrochloride in Commonly used food Materials-Rice by UV-Spectrophotometric Methods

Vitamins and their coenzymes roles are indispensable for normal functioning of biochemical metabolic pathways. The water soluble vitamin thiamine plays an important role in energy metabolism and its continuous intake is very essential. The source of vitamins can be obtained from many foods like milk, legumes, peas and rice and which is depends on availability, cost. Although most part of the south Indians especially in Tamilnadu the people predominantly depends on rice as a major source of food. So in order to identify the recommended dietary allowance of thiamine the following rice samples were collected from provisional store in Chennai. The collected five rice samples were Deluxe, Bapatla, Karnataka, Rupali ponni rice and Basmati rice. The concentration of thiamine present in the rice was estimated by UV Spectrophotometrically at 246 nm using 0.1M hydrochloride as blank. In order to measure the actual content the high heat and pressure not used and washing is not used. Among the tested 10gm of rice samples, Rupali ponni rice has127 µg which is very less quantity and Bapatla, Deluxe, Karnataka ponni rice has 420 to 430 µg. The high content of was present in Basmati rice-983 µg. Anyhow normal consuming rice quantity is more sufficient to meet Recommended Daily Allowance- RDA level but more washing of rice, prolong boiling will reduce the amount of thiamine content in rice during usage.

Trends in Total, Added, and Natural Phosphorus Intake in Adult Americans, NHANES 1988–1994 to NHANES 2015–2016

Dietary phosphorus intake in the USA has been consistently greater than the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) with several studies reporting associations between intake and health risks as well as all-cause mortality within healthy subjects and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The current study utilized a novel approach to calculate added phosphorus content in foods to determine sources (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES 2001–2016, n = 39,796) and trends in consumption (NHANES 1988–1994, 2001–2016, n = 55,744) of total, naturally occurring, and added phosphorus. Among adults (19+ years), the mean intake of total and natural phosphorus (mg/day) in 1988–1994 as compared with 2015–2016 increased (total: 1292 ± SE 11 vs. 1398 ± SE 17; natural: 1113 ± SE 10 vs. 1243 ± SE 16 mg/day); in contrast, added phosphorus intake decreased during this time (178 ± SE 2.9 vs. 155 ± SE 4.1 mg/day). Added phosphorus as a percent of total ranged from about 14.6% in 1988–1994 to about 11.6% in 2015–2016. The top five sources of total and naturally occurring phosphorus, representing approximately 20% of intake, were cheese, pizza, chicken (whole pieces), reduced-fat milk, and eggs/omelets. The top five sources of added phosphorus were cheese, soft drinks, cakes/pies, rolls/buns, and cookies/brownies, representing 45% of added phosphorus in the diet. Consumption of added phosphorus has decreased over the past few decades, possibly due to increased demand for foods with less additives/ingredients but may also be due to inaccurate phosphorus values in nutrition databases. Further studies are needed to validate the added phosphorus calculations utilized in this study and nutrition databases should consider providing added phosphorus content.

Effectiveness of Foliar Biofortification of Carrot With Iodine and Selenium in a Field Condition

Iodine (I) and selenium (Se) are essential to human and animal development. There is a worldwide deficit of I and Se in the diet of humans, as well as in animals. It is advisable to enrich plants with these elements to ensure adequate uptake in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the application of I and Se in the cultivation of carrot crops, to better understand the metabolic pathways and processes of I applied through foliar spray. Carrots were fertilized with 4-fold foliar applications of I and Se, which were applied as the liquid fertilizers “I + Se”, “Solo iodine” and “Solo selenium”, all containing an organic stabilizer, in two field trials. Foliar nutrient applications of I and Se were translocated by the plant for storage in the roots. The level of enriched I and Se in the roots was considered safe for the consumer. The Recommended Daily Allowance values for I and Se in the roots of 100 g of fresh carrots are 4.16% and 4.37%, respectively. Furthermore, I and Se accumulated in the roots to a level that was physiologically tolerated by carrot. Biofortification through foliar feeding did not impact negatively on the yield or quality of the carrot crop. Iodides applied via foliar application were the dominant form of I in the plant tissues and were included in the metabolic process of the synthesis of iodosalicylates, iodobenzoates, iodotyrosine (I-Tyr), and plant-derived thyroid hormone analogs. No synergistic or antagonistic interaction between I and Se, with respect to the effectiveness of biofortification in roots, was observed in any treatments. The molar ratio of I:Se in the roots after foliar application of both elements was approximately 1.6:1 and was similar to the control (1.35:1).