Nutrient Intake and Status in Adults Consuming Plant-Based Diets Compared to Meat-Eaters: A Systematic Review

Health authorities increasingly recommend a more plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains and nuts, low in red meat and moderate in dairy, eggs, poultry and fish which will be beneficial for both health and the environment. A systematic review of observational and intervention studies published between 2000 and January 2020 was conducted to assess nutrient intake and status in adult populations consuming plant-based diets (mainly vegetarian and vegan) with that of meat-eaters. Mean intake of nutrients were calculated and benchmarked to dietary reference values. For micronutrient status, mean concentrations of biomarkers were calculated and compared across diet groups. A total of 141 studies were included, mostly from Europe, South/East Asia, and North America. Protein intake was lower in people following plant-based diets compared to meat-eaters, but well within recommended intake levels. While fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), folate, vitamin C, E and magnesium intake was higher, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake was lower in vegetarians and vegans as compared to meat-eaters. Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density. Meat-eaters were at risk of inadequate intakes of fiber, PUFA, α-linolenic acid (ALA), folate, vitamin D, E, calcium and magnesium. There were nutrient inadequacies across all dietary patterns, including vegan, vegetarian and meat-based diets. As plant-based diets are generally better for health and the environment, public health strategies should facilitate the transition to a balanced diet with more diverse nutrient-dense plant foods through consumer education, food fortification and possibly supplementation.

Phytic Acid and Whole Grains for Health Controversy

Phytate (PA) serves as a phosphate storage molecule in cereals and other plant foods. In food and in the human body, PA has a high affinity to chelate Zn2+ and Fe2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Mn2+ and Cu2+. As a consequence, minerals chelated in PA are not bio-available, which is a concern for public health in conditions of poor food availability and low mineral intakes, ultimately leading to an impaired micronutrient status, growth, development and increased mortality. For low-income countries this has resulted in communications on how to reduce the content of PA in food, by appropriate at home food processing. However, claims that a reduction in PA in food by processing per definition leads to a measurable improvement in mineral status and that the consumption of grains rich in PA impairs mineral status requires nuance. Frequently observed decreases of PA and increases in soluble minerals in in vitro food digestion (increased bio-accessibility) are used to promote food benefits. However, these do not necessarily translate into an increased bioavailability and mineral status in vivo. In vitro essays have limitations, such as the absence of blood flow, hormonal responses, neural regulation, gut epithelium associated factors and the presence of microbiota, which mutually influence the in vivo effects and should be considered. In Western countries, increased consumption of whole grain foods is associated with improved health outcomes, which does not justify advice to refrain from grain-based foods because they contain PA. The present commentary aims to clarify these seemingly controversial aspects.

The micronutrient status of some soil supporting oil palm plantationin Nifor, Benin City, Benin

This study was conducted to assess the micronutrient status of soils under three different management practices at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from three different fields Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo with different management practices. The samples were air dried and analyzed for Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn contents using standard method. Data was subjected to ANOVA and correlation studies. Result showed that soil micronutrient status was generally low as revealed by their estimated levels of availability: field 53 (Mn = 0.0333; Zn = 3.723; Cu = 2.04; Fe = 6.4), field 56 (Mn = 0.0367; Zn = 3.737; Cu = 1.12; Fe = 7.0939), field 71 (Mn = 0.0167; Zn = 3.860; Cu = 2.89; Fe = 7.243). Fe and Zn were above critical level for the 3 fields. Mn was below the critical level for the 3 fields and was significantly higher in field 56 (Orlu and Kulfo series) (p≤ 0.05). They were all similar. Fe was significantly different in field 53 (Kulfo and Alagba series) but similar in fields 56 and 71 (p≤ 0.05). Cu was significantly different in the 3 fields tested with field 71 (Orlu and Alagba series) higher than the critical level. Correlation studies showed that pH had a positive and significant correlation with Fe and Zn as observed in fields 71 and 56 (r = 0.9934, P≤ 0.05) and (r = 0.9997, P ≤ 0.05) respectively. Cu was the only micronutrient that has correlation with clay on each of the fields: 53, 56 and 71 (r = 0.9929, P≤0.05) (r = 0.9988, P≤ 0.05) and (r = 0.9967, P ≤ 0.05) respectively. Strong correlation existed between clay and Fe in field 53 (r = 1, P≤ 0.05). The concentration of the micronutrients (Fe, Mn,Zn Cu), in field 53 were not extreme (neither the highest nor lowest) when comparing the three fields indicating that BMP (Best Management Practice) may be the best for maintaining good micronutrient level in soils supporting oil palm. Fields 53 and 56 is adequate in Fe and Zn but not adequate in Mn and Cu while field 71 was adequate in Zn, Fe, and Cu but not in Mn. Based on the result of this experiment, adequate fertilizers of these micronutrients as their respective sulphates or impurities should be added to maintain proper micronutrient level.

Global differences in vitamin D status and dietary intake: a review of the data

Background: Internationally, concern has been repeatedly raised about the little notable progress in the collection, analysis and use of population micronutrient status and deficiency data globally. The need for representative status and intake data for vitamin D has been highlighted as a research priority for well over a decade. Aim and methods: A narrative review which aims to provide a summary and assessment of vitamin D nutritional status data globally. It divides the World into the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) major regions: the Americas, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. Emphasis was placed on published data on prevalence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <25/30 and <50 nmol/L (reflecting vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy, respectively) as well as vitamin D intake, where possible from nationally representative surveys. Results: Collating data from the limited number of available representative surveys from individual countries might suggest a relatively low overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in South America, Oceania and North America, whereas there is more moderate prevalence in Europe and Asia, and possibly Africa. Overall, prevalence of serum 25(OH)D <25/30 and <50 nmol/L ranges from ~5% to 18% and 24% to 49%, respectively, depending on FAO World region. Usual intakes of vitamin D can also vary by FAO World region, but in general, with a few exceptions, there are very high levels of inadequacy of vitamin D intake. Conclusions: While the burden of vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy varies by World regions and not just by UVB availability, the global burden overall translates into enormous numbers of individuals at risk.

Multiplexed micronutrient, inflammation, and malarial antigenemia assessment using a plasma fractionation device

Collecting, processing, and storing blood samples for future analysis of biomarkers can be challenging when performed in resource limited environments. The preparation of dried blood spots (DBS) from heel or finger stick collection of whole blood is a widely used and established method. DBS pose less risk of infection from blood borne pathogens, do not require immediate specimen processing and tolerate a wider range of storage temperatures, and are easier to ship. As such, DBS are commonly used in large-scale surveys to assess infectious disease status and/or micronutrient status in vulnerable populations. Recently, we reported that DBS can be used with a multiplexed immunoassay, the Q-plex Human Micronutrient 7-plex Array (MN 7-plex). This tool can simultaneously quantify seven protein biomarkers related to micronutrient deficiencies (iodine, iron and vitamin A), inflammation and malarial antigenemia using plasma or serum. Serum ferritin, a key iron biomarker, cannot be measured from DBS due to red blood cell (RBC) ferritin confounding the results. In this study, we demonstrate the performance of a simple and rapid blood fractionation tool that passively separates serum from cellular components via diffusion through a membrane into a plasma collection disc (PCD) to produce plasma spots. We evaluated the concordance of MN 7-plex analyte concentrations from matched panels of eighty-eight samples of PCD, DBS, and wet plasma prepared from anticoagulated venous whole blood. The results show high correlation between eluates from PCD and DBS and wet plasma for each analyte. Serum ferritin measures from the PCD eluates were highly correlated to wet plasma samples. This suggests that surveillance for iron deficiency may be improved over the current methods restricted to only measuring sTfR in DBS as when used in combination with the MN 7-plex, all seven biomarkers can be simultaneously measured using PCDs.

Fortification of food with micronutrients: development of methodological and regulatory framework in the Russian Federation

The available scientific literature, domestic and international regulatory codes of normative documents concerning the fortification of various types of food products have been analyzed. The groups of food products of conventional and regular consumption included into the diets of all categories of consumers, recommended for fortification with essential micronutrients, have been determined: wheat and cereal flour (spelt wheat, buckwheat, oat, corn flour, etc.); pastry; milk and dairy products, including ice cream; non-alcoholic soft drinks; mineralized drinking water; fruit and vegetable juices; fat and oil products (vegetable oils, margarines, spreads, mayonnaise); confectionery and sweets (pastry, sugar, chocolate); cereals (breakfast cereals, muesli, ready-to-eat extruded cereals, instant pasta and cereals, mixtures for bakery, flour for sweet pastry); food concentrates (jelly, instant drinks, concentrates of sweet foods, instant food, instant cereal concentrates); table salt. The groups of food products assigned for certain categories of population are used as part of therapeutic diets for patients with various diseases (metabolic disorder syndrome, cardio-vascular system pathology with atherosclerotic vascular injury, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal tract diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetic nephropathy, etc.), as well as assigned to reduce the risk of diseases developing, the nutrients are recommended for targeted fortification of certain types of food. Examples of micronutrients fortification of sausages and minced meat semifinished products are given below. Requirements for fortification of mass consumption food products and for fortification of foods for special dietary uses are formulated in this article, the amount of fortifying components in the various groups of food products are justified, ensuring their efficiency for improving the micronutrient status and safety of its consumption. Based on the analysis of the available scientific literature, domestic and international regulatory framework of normative documents on fortification of various types of food products, recommendations have been developed for fortification of food with micronutrients.

The Effect and Potential Mechanism of Maternal Micronutrient Intake on Offspring Glucose Metabolism: An Emerging Field

Diabetes has become the most common metabolic disease around the world. In addition to genetic and environmental factors in adulthood, the early life environment is critical to the progression of diabetes in adults, especially the environment during the fetal period; this concept is called “fetal programming.” Substantial evidence has illustrated the key role of early life macronutrient in programming metabolic diseases. Recently, the effect of maternal micronutrient intake on offspring glucose metabolism during later life has become an emerging field. This review focuses on updated human and animal evidence about the effect of maternal micronutrient status on offspring glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanism.